Hyderabad, July 11 (PTI) The death toll in the "adulterated" toddy tragedy here rose to six, police said on Friday.
Three deaths each were reported in the limits of Kukatpally and KPHB police station limits, a police official told PTI.
State Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha was informed that 18 patients are currently under treatment at state-run Gandhi hospital, while 35 others were being treated at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS). Of the 35, five are expected to be discharged soon, an official release said.
The Health Minister directed health officials and senior doctors to ensure all victims receive continued care till they make a full recovery.
Meanwhile, the state excise department initiated disciplinary action against the SHO (Station House Officer) of Balanagar over the toddy tragedy.
The Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise C Hari Kiran directed the machinery of excise department across the state to intensify surveillance of toddy shops. He held a review meeting with the department's deputy commissioners and instructed them to conduct checks to curb any irregularities in toddy sale and consumption.
He emphasised strict action against the making, transportation and sale of illicit arrack, a release from the excise department said.
The Commissioner, who also held a review with officials in districts, urged them to step up checks against illicit arrack and spurious toddy.
A Prohibition and Excise official on Thursday said samples were collected from the toddy shops where the people consumed the toddy and sent them for chemical analysis.
Officials said it was established that the toddy sold at the outlets was allegedly laced with Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance. Following this, the licenses of these shops were suspended.
The victims had consumed toddy in different shops on July 6 and 7 in Kukatpally, Balanagar, and other areas of the city, officials said.