Fourteen people died after consuming spurious liquor from Monday shops in Malappuram district on Monday meanwhile government ordered a judicial probe into the tragedies.

While nine deaths were reported from Kuttipuram, five died at Vandoor, they said, adding that the toll was likely to go up as it was yet to be ascertained how many had consumed the killer brew.

Following the incidents, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan ordered a judicial probe into the tragedies.

Meanwhile at Kuttippuram, angry locals ransacked and burnt the toddy shop protesting the deaths, police said, adding that the manager of the shop has been arrested.

Preliminary examination of samples taken from the two toddy shops showed presence of methanol, police said quoting Forensic officials.

Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who rushed to Kuttipuram following the incident, told reporters that murder charges would be framed against the culprits if investigations proved that the deaths were caused by hooch.

Excise officials have sealed some toddy shops in Perassanoor and Kuttipuram areas and were conducting raids in the nearby shops, police said