Assam hooch tragedy leaves 30 dead, 50 ill

Guwahati, February 22

At least 30 persons have died and over 50 others taken ill after consuming spurious liquor at a tea garden in Assam’s Golaghat district, the police said on Friday. The incident took place on Thursday night at the Salmora tea estate in Golaghat, 300 km from the state capital.

“There are 30 bodies at the Golaghat Civil Hospital. Initially, the toll was 12, but casualties increased as more people were brought to the hospital,” Golaghat Additional Deputy Commissioner Dhiraj said.

Locals said labourers of the Salmira tea estate consumed moonshine on Thursday night, after which several of them took ill. Some are reportedly yet to be hospitalised. The locals complained about a nexus between the police and illegal liquor sellers.

Assam Excise Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya has ordered a probe. “The government has suspended two excise officials holding them responsible for the tragedy. We have also asked a four-member Excise Department team led by Additional Commissioner of Excise Sanjib Medhi to probe the incident,” Shuklabaidya said. The committee has been told to submit a report within three days.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi has demanded Suklabaidya’s resignation and urged Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to give compensation to the next of the kin of the deceased. — Agencies