More than 50 people have died over the last two days in Golaghat and Jorhat districts of eastern Assam after allegedly consuming spurious country liquor, with the toll likely to increase.
Official sources said over 40 deaths have been reported from Halmira tea estate and neighbouring villages of Golaghat.
Of these, 22 succumbed at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, while the rest died at Swahid Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital at Golaghat and a couple at their own residences.
Another 11 people belonging to two villages under Borholla police station of Titabor subdivision of Jorhat have died at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital since yesterday.
The first deaths in Halmira tea estate were reported on Thursday night with preliminary investigation indicating that the victims fell sick after consuming spurious country liquor, with local people revealing that the victims had reportedly consumed liquor while attending a marriage ceremony.
Upper Assam Division Commissioner Julie Sonowal has been asked by the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to inquire into the Golaghat incident, while a magisterial enquiry has been ordered into the Jorhat deaths.
A separate departmental probe has been ordered into the Golaghat tragedy and two Excise department officials have been immediately suspended.
State Health minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma today reached Jorhat to assess the situation, while Minister Topon Kumar Gogoi, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and MLA Mrinal Saikia had reached yesterday on instructions of the CM. (UNI)
