Kohima, 26 September (HS): At least 19 people have killed in Nagaland’s Mokokchung and Tuensang districts over the past two days after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor, police said on Saturday.

Eight deaths have been reported from Mokokchung district, while 11 people have died in Tuensang. The incident has raised concern in the state, which has remained officially dry for more than three decades.

Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and identify the source of the suspected adulterated liquor. The SIT is being headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang, Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said.

Investigators are also examining the supply chain to establish how the suspected illicit liquor reached the affected areas and whether others were involved in its production or distribution.

Meanwhile, samples collected in connection with the deaths have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination. The tests are expected to help establish the exact cause of the deaths and determine whether the liquor consumed by the victims was contaminated.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash