Tuensang reports 10 deaths, prompting a State-wide liquor advisory as police investigate suspected spurious liquor and alcohol-linked illnesses.
DIMAPUR/TUENSANG — At least 10 people have died in Tuensang over the past three days, prompting a state-wide warning against consuming liquor of unknown or doubtful origin as authorities investigate a cluster of deaths in the district.
The deaths were reported between September 10 and 12, with nine of the deceased having a direct or indirect circumstantial linkage with alcohol consumption, according to Tuensang police. The cause of the deaths, however, has not been scientifically or conclusively established.
One other person, reportedly a family member of a liquor seller, died by suicide and is being investigated separately, police said.
However, local sources told Eastern Mirror on Sunday that the actual death toll could be higher, with some deaths possibly going unreported.
Related: Tuensang: 10 dead in three days, cause yet to be ascertained
According to Tuensang police, preliminary enquiries found that most of the nine people linked to alcohol consumption had consumed liquor before developing symptoms including blurred vision, severe headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Police have cautioned that while the circumstances have raised suspicion of spurious or adulterated liquor, this cannot yet be established as the cause of the deaths.
The investigation has also been complicated by the fact that most of the bodies were taken for funerals before police became aware of the apparent pattern. Consequently, postmortems could not be conducted in most cases. Police said their preliminary assessment is based on medical records, enquiries and other available information.
Three of the deceased were from the same family from whose premises liquor was reportedly purchased, according to police.
As part of the investigation, police conducted raids in Tuensang Town and Chendang Saddle, recovering approximately 470 bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor and beer cans. The source and nature of the liquor, as well as the circumstances surrounding the deaths, are being investigated.
Excise advisory
The Excise & Prohibition department has meanwhile issued a state-wide public advisory urging people to exercise “utmost caution” and “strictly refrain” from consuming liquor.
The department stated that it had initiated immediate inquiries and enforcement action in coordination with other authorities to establish the source and nature of the suspected liquor.
It urged the public to report suspected manufacture, possession, sale or distribution of illicit liquor to the nearest Excise office.
The department also reminded the public that the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989 prohibits the possession, sale, consumption, manufacture, import and export of liquor in the state.
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