Kohima, Sep 26: Nagaland has witnessed yet another hooch tragedy where at least 19 people died in two districts even after the authorities have stepped up operation against the illicit liquor across the state.
This time the incident took place in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts where the police have arrested 20 people so far in this connection.
The number casualty is likely to go up since a few others have been battling with death in the hospitals.
Out of these 19 casualties, Tuensang district alone has witnessed 11 people to be followed by 8 deaths were reported in Mokokchung.
According to information, the Nagaland Police have set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police, Bunglang Chang to probe into the deaths and trace the source.
Sources say samples of the liquor have been sent to a laboratory in Guwahati for forensic examination to ascertain the cause of the deaths.
The victims, mostly, complained of breathlessness, blurred vision and vomiting after consuming illicit liquor and subsequently died.
Only after the casualties, the Nagaland Police have been conducting raids at multiple locations where 19 people have been arrested apart from confiscating 3,000 bottles of illicit liquor.
Notably, at least 9 people died a couple of weeks ago at the Tuensang Civil Hospital after they consumed spurious liquor.
