19 die after suspected spurious liquor consumption in Nagaland, 19 arrested

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.

Eight deaths were reported from Mokokchung district and 11 from Tuensang, police said on Saturday.

The SIT, headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang, will investigate the deaths and identify those involved in the production and distribution of the suspected adulterated liquor, Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said.

Samples have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination to determine the cause of the deaths. Police said they had obtained some leads but were not ready to disclose further details.

Following the deaths, police carried out several raids across the state and arrested 19 people. Nearly 3,000 bottles of liquor were also seized during the operations.

Nagaland has had a prohibition law in place since 1990.

Police have urged people to avoid unidentified, unlabelled or suspected illicit liquor. They also advised anyone experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol to seek immediate medical attention.