Nineteen die in Nagaland after suspected illicit liquor consumption; SIT formed

At least 19 people have died in Nagaland over the past two days after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, according to police, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team to investigate the deaths and trace the suspected supply chain. Eight deaths were reported in Mokokchung district and 11 in Tuensang district, police said. The deaths followed consumption of suspected illicit liquor, although forensic examination is pending to establish the precise cause.

Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said on Saturday that the SIT would be headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang. The team has been tasked with investigating the deaths and identifying the source and distribution network of the suspected adulterated liquor. Police have sent samples to Guwahati for forensic examination.

The testing is intended to help determine whether the liquor caused the deaths and to establish what substances may have been involved. “We have obtained some leads, but it is too premature to disclose details,” Kezo said, according to the supplied report. He did not provide further information about the investigation or the identities of those arrested.

Following the deaths, police carried out multiple raids across the state. Nineteen people were arrested and close to 3,000 bottles of liquor were seized, police said. The material does not specify the charges against those arrested or where the seizures were made.

Nagaland has had a prohibition law in place since 1990. Police advised residents not to consume unidentified, unlabelled or suspected illicit liquor. They also urged anyone experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness after drinking alcohol to seek medical care immediately.