Mokokchung DC Ajit Kumar Verma, SP Vesupra Kezo, the Additional SP and SDO (Civil), Mokokchung, during a media briefing at the DC’s Conference Hall on September 26. (Morung Photo)
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Morung Express News
Mokokchung/Dimapur | September 26
A district-level coordination meeting convened amid eight suspected spurious-liquor deaths has resolved to adopt a “zero tolerance” approach towards the sale and availability of liquor in Mokokchung district.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), Excise Department, Police Department, district administration, ward authorities and village councils. Four neighbouring village council chairmen were also invited to represent the villages.
Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma, briefing the media, said the resolution was adopted in view of the “serious and alarming situation” in the district.
“Whatever stock is available in the district, or the people who are in possession to sell the banned and prohibited liquor, need to be seized and destroyed as per the relevant provisions of the law,” Verma said.
He said the administration first received reports of suspected deaths caused by the consumption of spurious liquor from the Mangkolemba subdivision. Following this, coordinated raids were planned with the police, area administration officers and the Health Department.
Raids were subsequently conducted across all subdivisions, including Mokokchung town, Mangkolemba, Tuli and Changtongya. Verma said special attention was given to Mangkolemba, while raids were also conducted in areas where no deaths had been reported.
The confirmed death toll in Mokokchung district stands at eight. Six of the deaths, among which included two police personnel, were reported from Mangkolemba sub-division, while two were reported from Aliba in Ongpangkong sub-division. The deceased couple from Aliba were said to be Adivasis working in a farm.
Mokokchung Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said a case had been registered at Mangkolemba Police Station and that a Special Investigation Team headed by the Additional Superintendent of Police had been constituted to investigate the deaths.
“We have taken the cases very seriously because of the loss of lives in our district,” Kezo said.
Six persons have been arrested in connection with the Mangkolemba case for allegedly possessing and selling suspected liquor. Separately, 19 persons were arrested during district-wide raids and forwarded to judicial custody.
Police said the arrests were made on the basis of alleged sale of liquor. If forensic examination establishes that the seized liquor was adulterated, additional cases may be registered against those found in possession of it.
According to Kezo, the police investigation has indicated that liquor found in the Mangkolemba area may have been brought from a neighbouring State. However, he said the investigation was still at a preliminary stage and the details of the suspected wine shops could not be disclosed at present.
Police are also examining whether the liquor was imported from outside the State and adulterated in border areas, neighbouring districts or within the district. Kezo said there was, so far, no evidence that the liquor had been adulterated in Nagaland.
Police have conducted post-mortems on four of the deceased. The victims’ viscera, along with samples of the seized liquor, will be sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory in Guwahati to determine whether poisonous chemicals were present and whether they caused the deaths.
Most of the liquor seized so far was reportedly McDowell’s rum. Police said the liquor allegedly consumed by the Aliba couple was purchased from a particular seller, who is currently absconding. Empty bottles were recovered from his premises after police raided the house.
“We feel that he will provide some vital information in this case,” Kezo said, adding that efforts were on to arrest him.
Police are also examining the possibility that liquor seized from different shops may have originated from the same area or bottling plant. Kezo said the shops were located close to one another and that the possibility of a common distillery could not be ruled out, although it remained unconfirmed pending the forensic report.
Kezo said instructions had been issued to all police stations and check gates to strictly enforce the ban on liquor. Police would also intensify checks in town areas and monitor houses suspected of selling liquor.
“If some houses are found to be selling liquor, we will seize the liquor and seal those houses,” he said.
The Deputy Commissioner acknowledged that enforcement would remain challenging and said the cooperation of all stakeholders would be essential.
He said the district’s resolution was intended to ensure that liquor was not available in Mokokchung and that enforcement agencies, tribal bodies, village councils and the public would work together to prevent further loss of life.
While eight has been the official count, sources from Mangkolemba said that the toll could be more as cases of people dying after displaying similar symptoms were reported, but officially unaccounted. Atleast two non-Naga workers were reported to have succumbed on September 24 and 25 in the Longnak area but have not appeared in official figures.
Meanwhile, the number of victims, who required hospitalisation remain unaccounted.
