Tuesday, April 12 2005 16:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Bangalore: Twenty persons, including six women, died after consuming illicit liquor in at least five villages of Bangalore Rural district, police said.

Police said some 20 others are being treated in hospitals. Three persons have been detained for questioning in connection with the hooch tragedy.

The victims belonged to Chikkabidarakallu, Mattahalli and another village in Nelamangala, some 30 kms from Bangalore. They drank illicit liquor contained in "fake sachets" yesterday (Apr 11, 2005) night, Thakur said. The sachets were made to appear as if they were branded liquor.

While some died late yesterday night, others succumbed to the hooch today.

Samples have been sent to forensic scientific lab in Bangalore to throw more light into the cause of deaths, police said.