6 die in 3 days after drinking 'spirit' in Rangpur

Two more people have died in Rangpur after falling ill from drinking rectified spirit, taking the death toll to six in three days. Two others are currently undergoing treatment in hospital.

Hajirhat police station officer-in-charge Azad Rahman of Rangpur Metropolitan Police said the bodies were recovered around midnight on Tuesday and sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

The latest victims were identified as Abdul Malek, son of Mahir Uddin of East Shibpur village in Gopalpur union under Badarganj upazila, and Rashedul Islam, son of late Mofazzal Hossain of Shyampur Bandar College Para in Rangpur Sadar upazila.

Earlier, several people drank rectified spirit at the house of a drug dealer in the Shyampurhat area of Badarganj upazila late Sunday night, after which many fell seriously ill.

Three people died the same night. They were identified as Alamgir Hossain, son of Amirul Islam of Basantapur village in Gopalpur union, Sohel Mia, son of late Rafiqul Islam of East Shibpur village, and Jannat Ali of Sahapur village in Rangpur Sadar upazila.

Several others reportedly fell ill and sought treatment discreetly at different locations. Police arrested a local man, Zainul Abedin, describing him as a drug trader in connection with the incident.

Local residents said Zainul Abedin used to sell locally brewed alcohol and spirit. The deceased reportedly bought alcohol from his house on Sunday night, consumed it and later died after falling ill at home.

Meanwhile, another person died on Monday evening after consuming spirit at Balarbazar under Hajirhat police station in the city.

The victim was identified as Manik Chandra Roy, 60, son of late Anil Chandra Roy of Shiber Bazar West Hindu Para under Sadar Kotwali police station.

OC Azad Rahman said Manik died while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

Separate cases have been filed at Badarganj and Hajirhat police stations over the incidents, confirmed by Badarganj OC Hasan Zahid Sarkar and Sadar Kotwali OC Abdul Gafur.

Rangpur district superintendent of police Marufat Hossain said drug traders often collect substances from certain homeopathic chambers. Law enforcement agencies have carried out a raid at a homeopathic chamber in the city and obtained important information. Operations are continuing.