Youth dies after drinking 'Jhakkas'

NOAKHALI, Oct 4: A 22-year-old man died after drinking a toxic homemade beverage called “Jhakkas” at a barbecue party in Noakhali Sadar Upazila, while four others fell seriously ill.

The deceased, Mohammad Sakib, son of late Afran Mia of Purba Laxminarayanpur Village in Kadir Hanif Union, was declared dead at Noakhali Prime Hospital on Saturday after becoming ill following the party.

According to police and local sources, several young men held a fish barbecue party at a house near a canal in Kadir Hanif Union on Friday night, where they allegedly mixed alcohol with several drugs to prepare the beverage known as “Jhakkas.”

Sakib and four others became ill around 5 am on Saturday. Sakib and another man, identified as Tipu, 24, were taken to Noakhali Prime Hospital as their conditions worsened. Sakib was declared dead there. Saiful Islam Pakhi, 22, was later sent to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Tipu, Monir Hossain Shanto, 23, and Mohammad Russell, 23, are receiving treatment at Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital.

RMO of the hospital Dr Rajib Ahmed Chowdhury said three patients were admitted after becoming ill.