Nagaland warns public against liquor as 10 deaths in Tuensang spark probe into suspected spurious or contaminated alcohol
DIMAPUR — With at least 10 persons reported dead in Tuensang over three days amid suspicion that contaminated liquor may be involved, Nagaland government on Sunday urged people across the state to refrain from consuming liquor and warned of the risks posed by illicit and unregulated alcohol.
The Excise & Prohibition department, in a public advisory, cited “recent reports of suspected deaths” following the consumption of alleged spurious or contaminated liquor and appealed to the public to exercise “utmost caution” and strictly refrain from consuming liquor.
The advisory came a day after reports emerged from Tuensang of 10 deaths between September 10 and 12. Five deaths were recorded on September 10, four on September 11 and one on September 12. The individuals reportedly showed similar symptoms, including breathlessness, and died within hours of consuming alcohol.
Related: Tuensang: 10 dead in three days, cause yet to be ascertained
The circumstances and cause of the deaths, however, have yet to be officially ascertained.
The department stated that it had initiated immediate inquiries and necessary enforcement action, in coordination with other authorities concerned, to establish the source and nature of the suspected spurious liquor.
It also urged people to report any suspected manufacture, possession, sale or distribution of illicit liquor to the nearest Excise office.
The department pointed out 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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