Nagaland liquor deaths: 10 die in Tuensang, spurious liquor suspected in nine cases; state issues advisory

In the wake of 10 people including three members of a family dying in dry state Nagalandrsquos Tuensang with spurious liquor consumption suspected as the cause in nine of the cases the state Excise and Prohibition Department has issued a statewide advisory against consuming liquor of unknown or doubtful originTuensang police said that between September 10 and 12 nine of the deceased had a direct or indirect circumstantial link to alcohol consumption while the circumstances leading to the deaths were yet to be conclusively establishedNagaland Director General of Police DGP Rupin Sharma said the victims reportedly died after consuming what was suspected to be spurious liquorAccording to police another person reportedly a family member of a liquor seller died by suicide and the case was being investigated separatelyMedia reports quoting local residents however suggested that the actual death toll could be higher with some deaths possibly going unreportedAn official release said Tuensang police received reports on September 12 regarding a pattern of deaths involving people who had been admitted to Tuensang Civil HospitalPreliminary enquiries revealed that in most cases the deceased had reportedly consumed liquor before developing symptoms such as blurred vision severe headache dizziness nausea and vomiting the police saidAlthough consumption of spurious or adulterated liquor is suspected to be a possible cause of the deaths it could not be scientifically and conclusively established at this stage the police saidScientific and forensic procedures would be undertaken as part of the investigation the statement saidPostmortem examinations were not conducted in most of the cases as the mortal remains had already been taken for funerals before police became aware of the pattern of deaths it addedThe Tuensang police are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths identify the source and nature of the liquor consumed and determine whether any person or persons were responsible for the incidentPolice also learnt that three of those who died were members of a family from whose premises the liquor was reportedly purchased by some of the deceasedPolice conducted search and raid operations across Tuensang town and in the Chendang Saddle area to identify and seize suspected unauthorised spurious or adulterated liquor During the operations around 470 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor IMFL and beer cans were seized from different locations officials saidCommissioner of Excise H Atokhe Aye issued a statewide public advisory urging people to exercise utmost caution and strictly refrain from consuming liquorThe Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act 1989 provides for the prohibition of the possession sale consumption manufacture import and export of liquor in the state The present situation further underscores the serious risks associated with illicit and unregulated liquor he said in a statementThe department in coordination with other authorities has initiated immediate inquiries and enforcement action to ascertain the source and nature of the suspected spurious liquor and take appropriate action in accordance with law the statement said The public has been advised to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspected manufacture possession sale or distribution of illicit liquor to the nearest Excise office it addedThe opposition Congress demanded a thorough investigation action against everyone involved in the illegal supply chain and any negligent officials besides immediate exgratia compensation for the bereaved familiesThe Congress in a statement questioned how spurious liquor was reaching people in Nagaland despite the state being under prohibition lawIf Nagaland is a dry state how is spurious liquor freely reaching our people and claiming lives the party askedThis tragedy raises serious questions about enforcement and accountability The government owes the people answers Accountability must be fixed and lives must not be reduced to statistics the statement saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever