Tuensang: 10 dead in three days, cause yet to be ascertained

TUENSANG — At least 10 persons have died in Tuensang over a period of three days, with the circumstances surrounding the deaths yet to be officially ascertained, even as Nagaland Director General of Police Rupin Sharma issued a red alert on Saturday over suspected spurious liquor.

Five of the deaths occurred on September 10, four on September 11 and one on September 12. The individuals reportedly exhibited similar symptoms, including breathlessness, and succumbed within a few hours of consuming alcohol.

Amid the reports, a voice note claiming to be “forwarded from the Superintendent of Police” has been circulated on social media, cautioning residents of the town against consuming alcohol, citing the alleged sale of “contaminated or adulterated alcohol” in the area.

Meanwhile, Sharma, in a Facebook post, said alarming information was coming from Tuensang and that at least nine deaths had been reported from District Hospital, Tuensang.

He said the deaths were suspected to be linked to spurious liquor, specifically suspected “MC Rum”, and advised people across Nagaland not to consume liquor, particularly in Mon, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamator and Noklak. He also requested people in other parts of the state to abstain from consuming liquor.

The DGP said an investigation was ongoing.

The Police or the Medical Department of the district has not issued any official notification on the incident at the time of filing this report.

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