Preliminary police inquiries indicate that the suspected spurious liquor linked to eight deaths in Mokokchung district entered the state from a neighbouring state
MOKOKCHUNG — Preliminary police inquiries indicate that the suspected spurious liquor linked to eight deaths in Mokokchung district entered the state from a neighbouring state, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vesupra Kezo said on Saturday.
Addressing reporters at the Deputy Commissioner’s chamber, Kezo said the investigation was being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang.
“We have come to know from the preliminary inquiry that the source of this suspected adulterated liquor is from the neighbouring state,” Kezo said.
He said forensic examination would be required to confirm whether the liquor was adulterated, following which police would coordinate with authorities in Assam.
Eight people have died in the district after consuming the suspected spurious liquor. Police have intensified raids against the illegal sale of alcohol across the district and arrested 25 people so far.
Related: Death toll rises to eight in Mokokchung’s suspected spurious liquor tragedy
Six people arrested in Mangkolemba for allegedly possessing illicit liquor have been remanded in police custody, while 19 others arrested in Tuli, Changtongya and Mokokchung town for allegedly selling alcohol have been remanded in judicial custody.
Kezo said post-mortems had been conducted on four of the deceased. Viscera samples and seized liquor have been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Guwahati for examination. The results are expected to help determine the origin and nature of the liquor.
He also said the source of alcohol linked to similar cases in Tuensang had been traced to a neighbouring state and that Mokokchung Police was coordinating with their counterparts in Tuensang.
“We will be proceeding with the case intensively,” Kezo said.
At least 11 people died in Tuensang district two weeks ago after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor, bringing the death toll from such incidents in the state to 19.
Zero tolerance
Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma said the district administration, Police and Excise department were treating the situation seriously and had intensified enforcement measures.
He said joint raids had been conducted across all subdivisions, resulting in the seizure of a substantial quantity of liquor.
In view of reports of deaths and hospitalisations linked to suspected spurious liquor in Mangkolemba subdivision and other parts of the district, the Mokokchung District Administration has issued a public advisory urging residents to refrain from purchasing or consuming liquor.
The advisory reiterated the zero-tolerance policy adopted at an emergency coordination meeting on September 26 against the sale, transportation and storage of liquor. It said the enforcement drive would be intensified with the cooperation of town, village and ward authorities as well as civil society organisations.
The coordination meeting was attended by representatives of Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), Police and Excise departments, village council chairmen from neighbouring villages, ward authorities and the Mokokchung Municipal Council.
The meeting resolved to intensify checking and monitoring by enforcement agencies, while village councils, ward authorities, town councils and civil society organisations were asked to support efforts to restrict the supply, possession and sale of liquor.
Verma said an advisory or standard operating procedure (SOP) from the department of Health and Family Welfare would be circulated to the public through the media.
The district administration and Police have urged residents to refrain from consuming liquor and asked churches and civil society organisations to sensitise the public on the risks.
Police warned that houses found being used for selling alcohol would be sealed and that stringent action would be taken.
The district administration has also advised anyone experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulty, nausea, severe abdominal pain or loss of consciousness after consuming liquor, particularly within the past 48 hours, to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest primary health unit and report the matter to local authorities.
Information regarding the suspected transportation or sale of liquor may be reported to Mokokchung Police at 6009828769, Mangkolemba at 7005675868 and Tuli at 7005512093.
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