Daijiworld Media Network - Kohima
Kohima, Sep 13: At least nine people, including three members of a family, have died at the Civil Hospital in Nagaland’s Tuensang district over the past three days after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor, prompting police to issue a red alert and warn people against consuming alcohol obtained from unknown or unauthorised sources.
Police officials said the victims reportedly developed breathlessness after consuming the suspected adulterated liquor and subsequently died.
Nagaland Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma said the victims were suspected to have died after consuming spurious liquor, although the exact circumstances and cause of the deaths have yet to be officially established.
According to an official release, nine deaths were reported in Tuensang Town and Chendang Saddle on September 10 and 11.
“Based on the information presently available, all the deaths have a direct or indirect circumstantial linkage with alcohol consumption and are being investigated accordingly,” the release said.
One person, reportedly a family member of the liquor seller, died by hanging. Police said the circumstances surrounding that death are being investigated separately as a suspected case of suicide.
Tuensang police received information on Saturday about a pattern of deaths involving people who had been admitted to Tuensang Civil Hospital.
Preliminary enquiries found that most of the deceased had reportedly consumed liquor before developing symptoms including blurred vision, severe headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Police said consumption of spurious or adulterated liquor is suspected to be a possible cause of the deaths, but this has not yet been scientifically or conclusively established.
Scientific and forensic procedures will be undertaken as part ofThe police statement said post-mortem examinations were not conducted in most cases because the mortal remains had already been taken for funerals before authorities became aware of the pattern the investigation.
Post-mortems not conducted in most cases
The police statement said post-mortem examinations were not conducted in most cases because the mortal remains had already been taken for funerals before authorities became aware of the pattern of deaths.
“Accordingly, the present assessment is based on the available medical records, preliminary enquiries and other information collected during the investigation,” the statement said.
Tuensang police are conducting a detailed investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, identify the source and nature of the liquor consumed and establish whether any person or persons may be responsible.
Among those who died were reportedly three members of a family from whose premises some of the deceased had allegedly purchased liquor.
Further scientific and medical examinations are being carried out in coordination with the concerned authorities to establish the exact cause of death and determine the nature of the liquor consumed.
Around 470 liquor bottles and cans seized
Police conducted search and raid operations across Tuensang Town and the Chendang Saddle area to identify and seize suspected unauthorised, spurious or adulterated liquor.
During the operations, approximately 470 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer cans were seized from different locations, officials said.
Police have also launched widespread public awareness and information campaigns warning residents about the potential dangers of consuming liquor obtained from unknown, unauthorised or suspected adulterated sources.