Death toll in illicit liquor incident in N. India rises to 27

The death toll has risen to 27 in two separate illicit liquor incidents on Monday in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, said police.

Death toll could further rise as more than two dozen people were admitted to hospitals in the state capital Lucknow where the condition of 18 is said to be very critical.

The first incident occurred at a village in Malihabad where five people died while consuming the home-made liquor also called "moonshine," while at least five others died after being sent to hospitals.

Three others died after consuming spurious liquor in another village near the state capital Lucknow. The victims were watching a local cricket match when they consumed the poisonous liquor.

Poisonous liquors, made of industrial chemicals, were openly sold in the villages without being stopped by authorities.

Agitated villagers created a ruckus and damaged properties in protest. Police have arrested at least one suspect in the incident. The state government has also suspended several local officials for failing to stop the sale of illicit liquors.

The state government has also announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (3,200 U.S. dollars) to the families of the victims.

Illicit liquor incident take place from time to time in India. In December 2012, at least 140 were killed by poisonous liquor in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. Endi