SIRAJGANJ: Four people died and another fell sick after drinking toxic alcohol in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj early Wednesday, as taking recourse to cheaper narcotic drinks continued to take its toll at different places.

The deceased were identified as Tapan Roy, 48, Chandi Roy, 45, and Jyotish Roy, 40, of Baghdipara and Mohammad Wazed Ali, 55, of Dariapur village in poura area.

Monoranjan Roy, 65, of Baghdipara was admitted to Pabna Sadar Hospital in critical condition.

Police said they fell sick “shortly after taking the fermented liquor” together at Tapan`s house at about 11pm Monday.

Locals rushed them to hospitals as they did not wake up from sleep till Tuesday evening.

Of them, Jyotish died at Pabna Sadar Hospital while Tapan, Chandi and Wazed died at Shahjadpur Health Complex in the early hours of Wednesday.
 
Police recovered and sent the bodies to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

ASI Mohammad Mehedi Hasan told banglanews that among the deceased, Wazed Ali was the general secretary of local Rickshaw-Van Labour Union and the rest local cleaners.

A total of 13 people of such poorer section of society died having drunk rectified spirits only a few days back. Safe hot drinks in Bangladesh are unreachable for many for prohibitive prices inclusive of high duties.         
 
BDST: 1300 HRS, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010