Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, SEP 27 (NPN): Another person died at Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital here Saturday night due to suspected consumption of spurious liquor, taking the death toll to nine in Mokokchung district.
As per official reports, the deceased was admitted to the hospital at around 2.50 p.m. on September 26 but later died at around 9.30 p.m. The official source said the patient had difficulty in breathing, abdominal pain and general weakness at the time of admission. It added that there was a history of alcohol consumption three days earlier.
It may be mentioned that the Mokokchung district administration and police have intensified a district-wide crackdown on suspected spurious liquor, with 19 persons arrested for allegedly selling liquor and a special investigation team (SIT) constituted to probe the deaths linked to suspected consumption.
Raids were also carried out across all subdivisions of the district, including Mokokchung town, to curtail the supply.
Addressing the media on Saturday, DC Mokokchung Ajit Kumar Verma said the administration had convened a meeting with civil society organisations led by Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang and Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), along with four neighbouring village councils and ward unions, to discuss the situation.
Senior SP Mokokchung Vesupra Kezo said an SIT headed by the additional superintendent of police had been constituted to investigate the matter.
Kezo said the source of the liquor was under investigation and was suspected to be from a neighbouring state. He said post-mortems of the deceased had been conducted, while samples of the seized liquor would be sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory (CFL), Guwahati, next week for examination. In view of reports from Mangkolemba and other parts of the district concerning suspected consumption of spurious liquor, subsequent deaths and hospitalisations, DC Mokokchung advised the public to refrain from purchasing or consuming liquor.
It also advised anyone who had consumed liquor within 48 hours and developed dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulty, nausea, severe abdominal pain or unconsciousness to immediately seek medical attention.