NAGALAND, SEP 26 : At least 19 people have died in two suspected spurious-liquor incidents in Nagaland since September 10, with methanol detected in liquor samples linked to the earlier deaths in Tuensang and eight people now dead in a separate cluster in Mokokchung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest deaths have been reported from Mokokchung, where the toll rose to eight on September 25. The deaths came less than two weeks after a series of fatalities in Tuensang following suspected consumption of illicit liquor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Mokokchung, six of the eight deaths were reported from Mangkolemba sub-division and two from the Mokokchung Police Station-II area, local outlet Eastern Mirror reported, citing police. Four deaths had been reported from Mangkolemba on September 24, along with four people falling ill after allegedly consuming illicit liquor. Two more deaths were reported from Mangkolemba on September 25, while two people died in the Police Station-II area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another local outlet, Morung Express reported that the first victim in Mangkolemba died on September 19, followed by two deaths on September 23, another on September 24 and two more on September 25. Two of the six victims in Mangkolemba were reportedly police personnel, the report added. The victims reportedly developed complications after consuming bootlegged rum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police have seized illicit liquor and arrested over 19 people so far<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nine dead after suspected spurious liquor consumption in Nagaland\u2019s Tuensang district<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police have formed a Special Investigation Team headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang to investigate the deaths, trace the source and supply chain of the suspected adulterated liquor and identify those involved in its manufacture, transportation, distribution or sale, the Eastern Mirror report said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
District-wide raids have also been launched. Police seized 2,017 bottles of rum, 496 cans of beer, 245 bottles of whisky and 30 bottles of vodka, while 19 people were arrested in operations across Mokokchung district, according to Eastern Mirror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Eastern Mirror’s report quoted Additional Deputy Commissioner of Mangkolemba Moakumzuk Tzudir saying that some patients were brought in very critical condition and were declared deceased within 30 minutes of reaching the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police have warned that liquor from the suspected source may have reached other parts of Nagaland and advised people to avoid unidentified, unauthorised or suspected adulterated liquor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mokokchung Police have also advised anyone developing symptoms such as gastric pain, dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties, severe headache or loss of consciousness after consuming liquor to seek immediate medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mokokchung deaths followed a suspected spurious-liquor tragedy in Tuensang, where deaths were reported over September 10 and 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tuensang Police initially confirmed nine deaths in Tuensang town and Chendang Saddle. Most of the deceased had reportedly consumed liquor before developing symptoms including blurred vision, severe headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, according to the police statement reported by Morung Express and Nagaland Post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police had initially said that a connection between the deaths and spurious or adulterated liquor could not be scientifically established and that forensic examination was pending. Around 470 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor and beer cans were subsequently seized during raids in Tuensang town and Chendang Saddle, Nagaland Post reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The forensic investigation has since established the presence of methanol in samples of the seized liquor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tuensang Police confirmed on September 25 that the Forensic Science Laboratory in Dimapur had detected methanol, or methyl alcohol, in the samples. However, the laboratory could not determine the concentration because the required instruments were unavailable. The samples have therefore been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Guwahati for quantitative analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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