Berhampur,The hooch tragedy in Chikiti of Ganjam district,which hit the headlines and drew criticism,but supressed,has again revived.Last week four youths were reportedly abducted for ransom and police rescued the four besides two persons in this connection.During the investigation,police found thousands of hemp trees near the spot,where the abducted persons were rescued.Since the plants are grownup and filled with Ganja those were destroye and a separate case was registered.However,the recovery of plants raised fingers on police,excise sleuths.Soon after the incident,rulling BJP leader and local MLA Manoranjan dyansamantara accused BJD alleging patronising the ganja and liquor trade.However,countering it,the BJD leader Chinmayananda Srirup Deb said,the BJP govt in the state,sitting idle over the hooch incident.He further alleged that,the ganjam plants which detected last week are of five to six months,what has indicated that the plantation raised during the BJP rule and patronise.However no sincerity are being shown to bring the truth to public in both of the incidents.During August this year five persons died and more than 21 another affected after consuming illicit brew at Maundpur in Chikit block of Ganjam district.The incident created hue and cry in the state and the BJP govt criticised severely.Surprisingly the sensitive matter though opened way for mud-slinging between the rulling and opposition parties,now pushed to cold storage.Seeing the attack and counter attack by BJP and BJD,it was hoped that,the matter would be taken up seriously.The matter also created rucos in the assembly floor.Soon after the hooch tragedy the state govt announced a enquary by Southern division revenue divisional commissioner,but later modified its announcement by the declaring the enquary by member of Boad of revenue.On 25/9/2024 state excise dept published a notification in regard to the enquary with a clearcut mention,that the enquary would be completed by November 25th.Meanwhile three months of the hooch tragedy and 2 months of the notification for the enquary.Still,it is not started.Ironically the vicera report which sent to National foreignsic lab at Kolkatta,too not received.In the past,in such incidents,the deceaseds families were compensated by the govt,but in Chikiti case,the kins of five deceaseds,only were paid Rs 30,000/-from district red cross and sitting prety over the matter.The king family of Chikiti,however paid rs one lakh each to the family of the five deceased persons.Unlike the hostile attitude by state govt,the opposition leader Naveen patnaik formed a fact finding committee of BJD consisting senior party leaders.The committee also visited the areas at Chikiti and reportedly submitted their report to BJD,supremo Naveen patnaik.Incidently today is the date stipulated for submission of enquary report by the member of board of revenue,who reportedly asked the district administration and excise dept to furnish relevant informations.Surprisingly no officials is ready to talk over the matter.Now the question is,so far the member of board of revenue has not visited the area officially and in such a situation,how the report will be prepared and submitted,questioned Bibhudenra padhy,president ganjam unit of Forward Block party.He said,the hooch incident has about to cross six months,but no enquary,what has given a wrong impect on the rullers.
