Daijiworld Media Network - Kohima

Kohima, Sep 26: At least 19 people have died in Nagaland over the past two days after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, police said.

Eight deaths were reported from Mokokchung district and 11 from Tuensang district following the consumption of suspected illicit liquor.

Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the deaths and trace the source and supply chain of the suspected adulterated liquor. The SIT is headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang.

Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said on Saturday that police had obtained some leads but it was too early to disclose details.

Samples have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination to determine the cause of the deaths.

Following the fatalities, police conducted multiple raids, arrested 19 people and seized nearly 3,000 bottles of liquor.

Nagaland has had a prohibition law in place since 1990.

Police have advised people to refrain from consuming unidentified, unlabelled or suspected illicit liquor. They have also urged anyone who develops symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol to seek immediate medical attention.