Kohima: At least 19 people have died in Nagaland over the past two days after allegedly consuming spurious liquor.
The police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the deaths and trace the supply chain of suspected hooch in the state, where a prohibition law has been in place since 1990.
While eight deaths were reported from the Mokokchung district, nine died in the Tuensang district, the police said, as reported by PTI.
Vesupra Kezo, an SSP, said on Saturday that the 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.
The police have sent samples to Guwahati for forensic examination to ascertain the cause of the deaths. “We have obtained some leads, but it is too premature to disclose details,” Kezo said.
Multiple raids were conducted following the deaths and 19 people have been taken into custody. Nearly 3,000 bottles of liquor have also been seized.
Authorities have advised people to refrain from consuming unidentified, unlabelled or suspected illicit liquor. They also urged anyone who develops symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol to seek medical care immediately.
