19 Dead in Nagaland After Suspected Spurious Liquor Consumption, SIT Formed

Representative image of liquor bottles. Authorities in Nagaland are investigating suspected spurious liquor deaths. Photo credit: AI-generated illustrative image created for IndrajitGlobalnews.

 KOHIMA – At least 19 people have died in Nagaland after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the source and distribution of the alcohol.

Police said eight deaths were reported in Mokokchung district and 11 in Tuensang district over the previous two days.

Authorities have formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate the deaths and trace the suspected supply chain.

Samples of the suspected liquor have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination. The testing is expected to help determine whether contaminated or adulterated alcohol was responsible for the deaths.

Police have also carried out raids in connection with the investigation. According to the New Indian Express, 19 people were arrested and nearly 3,000 bottles of liquor were seized during the crackdown.

Nagaland has had prohibition legislation in place since 1990, making the suspected illicit liquor trade a major legal issue in the state.

Officials have urged people not to consume unidentified, unlabelled or suspected illicit alcohol.

Authorities have not yet released a final forensic conclusion establishing the exact cause of all the deaths.

The investigation will now focus on identifying the source of the liquor, tracing its distribution network and determining whether anyone violated existing laws.

Source: New Indian Express; Moneycontrol; police statements.