CUTTACK: On the eve of first-phase panchayat polls, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday visited the liquor tragedy victims at the SCB Medical College and Hospital here amidst protests by Opposition parties. He also visited the alleged Pipili gangrape victim. Around 45 activists and leaders of Cuttack unit of Congress were taken into custody from the hospital campus and its vicinity less than an hour before the Chief Minister arrived there. The party staged a black-flag demonstration at the gate of the hospital while some activists even rushed into the campus. They were immediately rounded up by police. A heavy security blanket was thrown around the hospital for the visit in anticipation of protests by the Opposition parties. Naveen, accompanied by Health Minister Prasanna Acharya and Secretary Anu Garg, went around the Special Medicine Ward where around 30 people affected by the ‘killer concoction’ are being treated. Naveen spent time with each of the affected. He also enquired about their conditions and assured them of best treatment at the hospital. He visited the ‘gangrape’ victim at the Central ICU. The Chief Minister’s visit was preceded by that of OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik. Niranjan, along with Congress City unit president Md Mokim, while offering support to the victims launched a scathing attack on the BJD Government and demanded Chief Minister’s resignation. The BJP City unit also staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) demanding a CBI probe into the hooch tragedy. “The Chief Minister is directly responsible for the deaths and has no right to stay in office,” BJP City president Lalatendu Badu said as the activists burnt effigy of Naveen. Meanwhile, continuing with the crackdown on illicit liquor trade in the district, the Excise Department on Friday raided several places and arrested 16 persons. The Drug Control officials also searched 32 medicine stores and manufacturing units and collected 14 samples of alcohol-based formulations for testing. The district administration on Friday disbursed ` 10,000 from the Red Cross Fund to each of eight affected families. Nine families were provided with free rice for 15 days. The survey of the affected populace has revealed that several families of migrant labourers , who have lost members, have left for their native places. Cuttack Collector has written to his counterparts in Ganjam and Balangir district to bring them under the coverage of different welfare and social security programmes as decided here, sources said. The relief work slowed down to some extent as the administrative machinery is engaged in the work for panchayat polls scheduled be held in Baranga on Saturday, sources added.
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