Assam hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 65

Death toll in hooch tragedy rises to 65 and more than 100 were battling for their lives in hospitals.

Guwahati: At least 65 people died and more than 100 were battling for their lives in hospitals after consuming spurious liquor in two separate incidents in Assam's Golaghat and Jorhat districts, according to reports.

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The death toll is rising every minute,Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after visiting 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.

While one incident took place on Thursday night at Salmora Tea Estate in Golaghat, 300 km from here, the other incident occurred in two remote villages under Titabor sub-division of Jorhat district.

In the Jorhat incident, 12 people were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor, of whom seven died at the local hospital. The rest four are undergoing treatment, the police said.

The locals said many consumed liquor at the tea estate on Thursday night after procuring the stock from a particular seller. Several of them took ill immediately and were rushed to the hospital.

The locals complained about a nexus between the police and illegal liquor sellers.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has expressed grief over the incident and sent a team to the district to take stock of the situation.

State Excise Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya has ordered a probe.

"The state government has suspended two excise officials after holding them responsible for the tragedy. We have also asked a four-member team, led by Additional Commissioner of Excise Department Sanjib Medhi, to probe the incident," said Shuklabaidya.

The probe committee has been asked to submit its report within three days.

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