Angul, Nov. 1: The BJP has threatened to launch an agitation in the district with death toll in the hooch tragedy rising to three.

Inspector in charge of Bantala police station Samir Panda said one Ramesh Pradhan, 45, of Ragudiapara village, 15km from here, died last night due to consumption of illicit liquor.

Reacting strongly to the casualty, district BJP president Asoke Mahanty threatened to take to streets in protest against the administration’s alleged attempt to shield the guilty and hush up the hooch deaths.

“Two days ago, we gave the collector an ultimatum that he should find out the reason behind the deaths. We also demanded Rs 10 lakh as compensation to each victim’s family and suspension of the excise superintendent apart from arrest of the main liquor supplier to the local vendor,” said Mahanty.

On October 13, Sanjay Padhan, 30, of the same village died at Angul hospital, and the next day, another person Subrat Sahu died at SCB hospital in Cuttack. On October 14, Ramesh was shifted to SCB and had been under treatment. The police said that another 10 persons, who had complained of eye and other problems, got cured following treatment either at Angul or Cuttack. The incident took place on October 11, sparking off tension in the area with local residents storming the office of excise superintendent and burning the effigy of excise minister Damodar Rout.

District collector S.R. Jaddav had asked additional district magistrate Susanta Barik to conduct an inquiry and submit the report by October 22. But, no report has yet been submitted.

Barik said: “I had apprised the collector of the inquiry and am awaiting reports from doctor and drug inspector. Without that, we cannot come to conclusion that the deaths were due to consumption of illicit liquor.”