http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/India-Home-Brew-Alcohol-Kills-In-Ahmadabad-Gujarat-State---Booze-Was-Apparently-Toxic/Article/200907215332518?f=rssAt least 65 people have died after drinking home-brewed alcohol in a western Indian city that was apparently toxic, police have said.
Another 23 were battling for their lives in three hospitals in Gujarat state's main city Ahmadabad, said S Khandwawala, the director-general of state police.
He added that at least 32 people have been arrested in connection with brewing and
supplying the alcohol.
Deaths from drinking illegally brewed cheap alcohol are common in India, where few people can afford licensed booze.
Known locally as desi daru - pronounced 'they-see daa-roo' - illicit alcohol is often spiked with pesticides or chemicals to increase its potency.
In the latest tragedy, most deaths happened in hospitals where the victims were brought after they drank the liquor on Sunday.
Some were found on the streets of Ahmadabad, said police commissioner SK Saikia.
The problem is worse in Gujarat because the state law prohibits the sale of all booze.
Gujarat is the home state of India's independence leader, Mohandas Gandhi, who was a strong advocate of prohibition.
Most of the victims in Ahmadabad fell sick in the Majur Gam and Odhav areas - slums inhabited by thousands of mostly poor labourers.
They included Arvind Solanki who allegedly brewed the tainted drink in his home and sold it to the workers, said Mr Saikia.
Mr Solanki, his son and another relative drank the home-brew to prove it was of good quality after some customers complained about its bitter taste, a police officer said.
All three died in the hospital, the unnamed officer added.
On Tuesday night, angry residents attacked police with stones in the area, accusing them of turning a blind eye to illicit home breweries. Police fired tear gas at the protesters.
Officers have raided homes in the area, but had yet to make any arrests, Mr Saikia said.
In 1980, 128 people died after drinking the tainted booze in Majur Gam.
