At least 19 people have died after they allegedly consumed spurious liquor. Police officials have launched an investigation into the source and supply chain of the suspected adulterated alcohol.
The deaths took place over the span of two days in two districts.
Eight people died in Mokokchung while 11 people died in Tuensang after allegedly consuming suspected illicit liquor.
Two of the dead were police personnel, Morung Express reported.
Police formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the deaths and identify the source of the adulterated liquor. They seized almost 3000 bottles.
The SIT is being headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang, Senior Superintendent of Police, Vesupra Kezo, told PTI on Saturday.
The samples of the liquor have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination.
"We have obtained some leads, but it is too premature to disclose details," the officer added.
The Tuensang police on Saturday had also confirmed that methanol was found in the illicit alcohol that was seized.
Nine people died after consuming suspected illicit rum in Tuensang town and Chendang Saddle over a period of 3 days. The first death was officially reported on September 12.
The laboratory results, however, could ot determine how much methanol (methyl alcohol) was present in the alcohol.
A press release from the Tuensang police, citing the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Dimapur, said, “Quantitative estimation of methanol could not be carried out due to non-availability of the required instruments.”
The release said, “It is important to clarify that qualitative detection of methanol, by itself, does not establish the concentration present or whether it exceeds the applicable permissible limit. Trace quantities of methanol may be permissible under applicable food-safety standards depending on the category of alcoholic beverage. Therefore, quantitative estimation is essential for determining the actual methanol concentration and assessing compliance with the applicable standard.”
19 people were also arrested in relation to the case.
An advisory urged people to refrain from consuming unidentified, unlabelled or illicit liquor.
Mokokchung police meanwhile warned that the liquor may have also been distributed to other parts of the state.
The advisory also urged persons developing symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, or breathing difficulties to seek urgent medical care.
