19 Die in Nagaland After Suspected Spurious Liquor Consumption
SIT formed to trace suspected adulterated liquor supply chain; 19 arrested after police raids
- 19 people reported dead in Mokokchung and Tuensang.
- SIT formed to trace the suspected liquor supply chain.
- Police arrested 19 people and seized nearly 3,000 bottles.
- Liquor samples sent to Guwahati for forensic examination.
GG News Bureau
Kohima, 26th Sept: At least 19 people have died in Nagaland over the past two days after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor, prompting police to launch an investigation into the source and supply chain of the adulterated alcohol.
Police said eight deaths were reported in Mokokchung district and 11 in Tuensang district following consumption of suspected illicit liquor.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang, has been constituted to investigate the deaths and trace the source and supply chain of the suspected adulterated liquor, Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said on Saturday.
Samples have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination to determine the cause of the deaths. Kezo said police had obtained some leads but added that it was too early to disclose further details.
Following the deaths, police conducted multiple raids across the state and arrested 19 people. Nearly 3,000 bottles of liquor were also seized during the operations.
Nagaland has had a prohibition law in place since 1990, restricting the manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor.
Police have advised residents against consuming unidentified, unlabelled or suspected illicit liquor.
Authorities have also urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol to seek immediate medical attention.
