RMP, chemist among 12 held for arrack tragedy

VIJAYAWADA: Direct consumption of diluted methanol (methyl alcohol) mixture is said to have claimed the lives of 19 persons in Poratanagar, Kanimerla and Naguluru hamlets of Mylavaram and Reddygudem mandals in the district recently. Interestingly, the manufacturers arrested on Monday had examined the mixture before supplying it to the distributors and found that it was not strong enough.The 12 persons arrested on Monday by Krishna district police for the Mylavaram arrack tragedy are Azmeera Jamalaiah (Kanimerla thanda), Azmeera Lakshmanna (Kanimerla), Bhukya Redya (Poratanagar), Azmeera Raghu (Yedurubedem), Bhukya Dwali (Poratanagar), Amboth Murali (Yedurubedem), Banavath Lakshmi (Poratangar), Azmeera Bazu (Kanimerla), Lavuri Padugu (Nagulri thanda), a RMP doctor K Vijay Sangeetha Rao of Poratangar, a chemical shop worker B Koteshwara Rao of Vijayawada and N Sharath Chand, who runs the Sri Kiran Scientific Traders in Vijayawada.Presenting the accused at a media conference here on Monday, superintendent of police PVS Ramakrishna said the accused were booked under stringent sections of the acts. Reacting to a question, he said there was no negligence on part of police to prevent production and sale of arrack and illicit liquor.According to police, Raghu of Yedurubedem hamlet with help of the RMP Vijay Sangeetha Rao and chemical shop worker Koteshwara Rao, had purchased 25 litres of methanol from Sri Kiran Traders to make the liquor. He mixed it with equal quantity of water and supplied it through Jamalaiah, Lakshmanna and others involved in selling illicit distilled (ID) liquor in the area. Raghu had reportedly tasted the mixture and found it was not strong enough.Police said the victims who consumed the diluted methanol directly died within hours while those who mixed it with arrack, had a narrow escape.The accused were arrested under various sections of AP Prohibition Act 1995, AP Excise Act 1968, IPC 304 and 12 other criminal cases. Police arrested Sarath Chand for selling the methanol despite restriction on sales.