Mokokchung spurious liquor death: Village councils asked to stay vigilant

MOKOKCHUNG — Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, has directed all village councils in the district to remain strictly vigilant and closely monitor the situation in their respective jurisdictions, amid reports of more deaths and hospitalisations in Mangkolemba Sub-Division and other parts of the district, due to suspected consumption of spurious liquor.

This directive comes close of the heels of three more deaths being reported this week in Rajmati, Longphayimsen village, bringing the toll in the district to 11, after eight deaths were reported last month.

This has taken the total number of deaths in the state due to the consumption of spurious drinks to 23.

Related: Three die after suspected adulterated liquor consumption in Mokokchung

Invoking the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, the DC has directed village councils to monitor and promptly report any suspected sale, transportation, storage or distribution of liquor in their areas to the concerned Area Administrative Officer and the police for necessary action.

The district administration has also directed to immediately inform the authorities of any incident involving suspected consumption of spurious or illicit liquor, especially cases of illness, hospitalisation or death, and sensitise the public not to purchase or consume liquor in view of the prevailing public health concerns.

Also read: Mokokchung police tighten action against illegal liquor

Ensure that any person showing symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty in breathing, nausea, severe abdominal pain or loss of consciousness after consuming liquor is taken for immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility, and that the matter is reported without delay to the concerned authorities, it stated.