Suspected adulterated IMFL deaths recur in Mokokchung

Closure eludes special Nagaland Police investigations

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 17 

Even after supposed heightened check-post vigil, ramping up raids and a special police investigation, deaths linked to adulterated alcohol have recurred in Mokokchung. The Mokokchung police reported three more victims succumbing to suspected adulterated IMFL in Longphayimsen village, close to Assam’s Jorhat district border, in Mangkolemba sub-division. The deaths occurred on October 15 and 16, some three weeks after Mokokchung reported a series of similar deaths, officially eight, linked to consumption of allegedly adulterated McDowell’s rum, a widely favoured brand in Nagaland. 

This was preceded by nine deaths, as officially claimed, in Tuensang in the second week of September. The case had also prompted a special police investigation. However, closure eludes the two parallel special investigations into the tragedies Tuensang and Mokokchung, well over a month since the first deaths were reported. 

The first of the latest deaths, as per a press release from the Mokokchung police, was reported on the night of October 15. The release said that Longtho Police Station received information from the Longphayimsen Village Council at around 10:30 pm about the death of one Chungkai (50 years), who originally hailed from New Sonowal, Jorhat. It was followed by another death, under similar circumstances, at the village Health and Wellness Centre. The victim was a 24 year-old man identified as Samuel, also, originally from Jorhat.  

The third death was reported from the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Tsurangkong on the night of October 16. The deceased victim was identified as Bubai Orang (36 years), also, originally from Jorhat. All three were daily wagers. 

They had allegedly consumed “MC Rum” (McDowell’s) together at Chungkai’s residence on the night of October 14. Bubai Orang had reportedly bought four bottles of rum from New Sonowal, a month prior. The police release said that the wife of one of the deceased has been identified as an eyewitness.

All three allegedly developed symptoms including giddiness, nausea, and blurred vision post the drinking session. Chungkai and Samuel were taken to the Health and Wellness Centre at Longphayimsen, where they succumbed during treatment. 

No liquor “remnant” was however found in the police search after the deaths were reported. Post-mortem examinations for Chungkai and Samuel were conducted at the Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) in Mokokchung. 

The Mokokchung police release said that further investigation was “underway to establish the exact cause of death and trace the source and supply chain of the suspected adulterated liquor.” It added, “Relevant exhibits will be sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Kolkata, for chemical analysis at the earliest.”

While stating that the police are treating the case seriously and that legal action will follow based on the findings, it maintained that the suspected involvement of adulterated liquor and the exact cause of death remain subject to medical and forensic confirmation.

Mokokchung DC decrees
In the wake of the adulterated alcohol tragedy in Longphayimsen, the Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner, Ajit Kumar Verma issued an order on October 17 citing the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989. The order instructed all village councils in the district to “remain strictly vigilant and closely monitor the situation within their respective jurisdictions.”

The village councils were directed to monitor and report any sale, transportation, storage, or distribution of liquor to area administrative officers and the police. 

It required them to extend cooperation to enforcement agencies during inspection drives, and promptly reporting incidents involving suspected consumption, illness, hospitalisation, or death. 

They were also directed to sensitize the public to refrain from purchasing or consuming liquor.

The order said, “In case of any person exhibiting symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty in breathing, nausea, severe abdominal pain or loss of consciousness following consumption of liquor, ensure that immediate medical attention is sought at the nearest health facility and that the matter is promptly brought to the notice of the concerned authorities.” 

It said that the order will “remain in force until further orders,” and the councils told “to treat the matter with utmost seriousness and urgency.”