People should protest country liquor consumption: Biman Bose

Kolkata, Jan 5 (IANS) People should come forward and protest against the consumption of poisonous country-made liquor, West Bengal's ruling Left Front (LF) chairman Biman Bose said Monday, as the toll in a hooch tragedy here rose to 23.

'This is a social responsibility for all of us to protest and destroy the illicit country-made liquor shops in West Bengal,' Bose told reporters here.

He said the illegal liquor kiosks owners were creating nuisance in society.

At least 23 people have died since Saturday night in northern Kolkata after consuming illegal country-made liquor.

Six people have been arrested and three officers of the excise department and city police have been issued show-cause notices after the incident.

Mamata Banerjee, leader of the state's principal opposition Trinamool Congress, blamed the LF government for the tragedy.

'The state government is only promoting sales of excise products in West Bengal. The government feels no moral obligation to serve the interest of common people.'

'I've no faith in the probe initiated by the government. There should be a higher-level of enquiry into the incident,' Banerjee said.