Death toll reaches 133 in Assam hooch tragedy

The death toll in Assam hooch tragedy has crossed 130 with casualty figure on the rise for the fourth day today since the first deaths were reported.

The toll was confirmed by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Mukesh Agarwal, who added that 10 people have been arrested in connection with the sale and manufacture of the illicit liquor known as 'Sulai mod' in Assamese.

"We have sent liquor samples to the forensic science laboratory and a report is awaited," he said.

Golaghat deputy commissioner Dhiren Hazarika said that the situation was stabilising now.

In bordering Jorhat district, 43 deaths had been confirmed till late last night.

Meanwhile, state Excise minister Parimal Suklabaidya today visited the affected parts and took stock of the situation. He 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.

The Excise department has intensified it's drive against illicit spurious liquor across the state following the deaths. "We have seized and destroyed 4,860 litres of illegal liquor since February 22," he said.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday visited the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital to check on the victims undergoing treatment. The state government has announced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh to families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those hospitalised.

Multiple high level enquiries have also started into the incidents.

The first deaths were reported from Halmira tea estate in Golaghat district on February 21 night.

The deaths have been allegedly caused by consuming spurious illegal distilled liquor, locally called 'sulai'.