Assam hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 149

The death toll in the Assam hooch tragedy has increased to 149. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has asked the officials to take up stern steps to stop the sale of illegal liquor in the state.

Guwahati: The death toll in the Assam hooch tragedy that hit two districts has increased to 149, officials said on Sunday. The deaths come less than two weeks after more than 100 people died in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand from drinking tainted alcohol.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday visited the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital to check on the victims undergoing treatment.

He has asked the officials to take up stern steps to stop the sale of illegal liquor.He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the victims' families and Rs 50,000 to the people undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, an Excise Department official said that a total of 90 cases have been registered regarding the unauthorised sale and production of hooch and also for violating the excise law.

"We have seized and destroyed 4,860 litres of illegal liquor since February 22," he said.

The deaths were in connection with two incidents that took place on Thursday night.

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

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.