19 Dead in Nagaland After Suspected Spurious Liquor Consumption, Police Launch SIT Probe

At least 19 people have died in Nagaland over the past two days after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor, prompting police to form a Special Investigation Team to trace its source and supply chain.

Police said Mokokchung district reported eight deaths, while Tuensang recorded 11 fatalities following consumption of suspected illicit liquor.

The SIT, headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang, has been tasked with investigating the deaths and tracing the source and distribution network of the suspected adulterated liquor, Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said on Saturday.

Kezo said police had obtained some leads but that it was too early to disclose details. Samples of suspected liquor have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination to ascertain the cause of the deaths.

Following the fatalities, police conducted multiple raids and arrested 19 people. They also seized close to 3,000 bottles of liquor during the operations.

Nagaland has had a prohibition law in place since 1990. Police have not yet disclosed the identities of those arrested or identified the definitive source of the liquor.

Police have advised people to refrain from consuming unidentified, unlabelled or suspected illicit liquor. Those who develop symptoms including dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol have been urged to seek medical care immediately.

The forensic examination of the seized samples is expected to provide further information about the substance involved and the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Police said the investigation was continuing.