Death Toll in Assam Hooch tragedy goes up to 89, many more still languishing in hospitals
-According to latest reports, the toll may cross the 100 mark with more than 20 others undergoing treatment and are stated to be critical.
AMN / GUWAHATI
Death Toll in Assam Hooch tragedy goes the death toll in the spurious liquor tragedy in Golaghat and Jorhat districts has gone up to 89.
Golaghat Deputy Commissioner said, several people are still undergoing treatment and some more have also been admitted. Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal has held an emergency meeting in Guwahati with senior officials including DGP and Chief Secretary and instructed action against culprits.
10 culprits have been arrested so far at Golaghat and Jorhat districts.
Golaghat Superintendent of Police Pushpraj Singh said that the incident occurred last Thursday at Halimara area. Police and Excise department is investigating the matter. Two persons have been arrested for allegedly selling spurious liquor.
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the death toll is rising every minute. Minister visited Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) here.
“This morning the death toll in Golaghat and Jorhat districts was 59 and 200 people have been admitted to hospitals. The death toll and the number of people admitted is changing minute by minute,” Sarma told reporters after meeting some patients at the hospital.
“I have been told here that 142 people have been admitted to Jorhat Medical College Hospital and 36 of them are women. Twelve people have died here. More patients have been admitted since I came here,” he said.
Director of Medical Education Anup Barman will supervise the patients’ treatment, Sarma said.
With the death toll rising steadily, the Assam government on Saturday banned ‘lali gur’ (jaggery/liquid), a substance used to make illicit liquor. The government had given the license for this liquid because it was given to cows, but people have now started using it to manufacture the illicit liquor.
According to the deputy superintendent, the liquor was not brewed at the tea estate but brought from outside.
The tradition of drinking country liquor has remained a common practice among the tea garden workers despite many drives against country liquor and awareness programme about the adverse health impact of such liquor.
Rahul Gandhi Offers Condolences
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday condoled the families of those who died after consuming spurious liquor in Assam’s Golaghat district.
“I am saddened by the incident which occurred in Assam’s Golaghat area. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. I hope that those undergoing treatment get well soon,” Gandhi said in a Facebook post.
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