Bhubaneswar/Angul, Oct. 15: The district excise superintendent today submitted its inquiry report to the state government, claiming that the two deaths that took place in Angul yesterday were not due to consumption of illicit liquor.

The two deceased had been suffering from malaria and were taking chloroquine tablets. They had consumed liquor, and this led to their deaths. Excise minister Damodar Rout had sought a report from the district officials on the alleged hooch tragedy.

The deceased, identified as Subrat Sahu and Sanjay Pradhan, were working as labourers in the house of the village committee chairman at Rugudipada.

Rout said: “We have received the report from the district officials. The preliminary report suggests that it is not a hooch tragedy. We are thoroughly examining the report.”

The police arrested two persons in connection with the tragedy, which had affected six other people at Ragudipada that falls under the Bantala police station.

Sub-divisional police officer R.N. Deo said: “The accused have been identified as Siba Sahu and Kailash Sahu, who were running the illegal liquor shop at the village.”

Yesterday, Subrat and Sanjay died. One Ramesh Pradhan became critically ill after consuming the liquor. Four others, who had complained of blindness, were referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital last night.

Local people were angry over the inaction and alleged connivance between the police, excise department and the bootleggers in the area. They blocked traffic at Bantala market and gheraoed the police station, demanding the dismissal of the excise superintendent and an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the victims. The gherao was lifted after the local administration had assured them of action against the culprits.

“We gathered at the liquor shop on Sunday evening. We were a little fussy about the colour of the spirit, which was almost black, so we enquired about it. Siba, who had served us the liquor, said there was no problem with it. We consumed it without knowing the implications. At night, I felt an acute pain in my abdomen and had blurred vision. On Monday, our health situation deteriorated, and we were shifted to Angul. The liquor shop has been there for a long time,” said Kapila Munda, one of the villagers who also consumed liquor from the shop.