Assam: 68 tea plantation workers die after consuming illegal alcohol
Less than a fortnight after more than 100 people died due to consumption of illicit alcohol in Northern India, around 68 people died in Assam after drinking bootlegged liquor. Most of the deceased are tea plantation workers who had consumed the alcohol on Thursday evening. After the tragedy, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal formed a one-man commission for investigation. Here's what happened.
Workers drank alcohol and fell sick
The incident took place at Halmira tea estate in Assam's Golaghat district, which is about 300 kms away from capital Guwahati. The plantation workers drank sulai- a local drink made of jaggery and ethyl alcohol. Soon, workers started falling sick. The first death was reported around 7 PM on Thursday. Over the hours, the count of deaths only swelled.
Police suspect brewers mixed methyl alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol
34 deaths were reported from both Jorhat and Golaghat Medical Colleges. Among those who lost their lives to the spurious liquor were Dhrupadi Oran and her son Sanju. The workers had brought alcohol from Dhrupadi's house. Deputy superintendent of police Partha Protim Saikia said, "We suspect they mixed methyl alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol." Notably, methyl alcohol is poisonous to humans.
Sanju's partner reveals he brought alcohol from neighboring states
Sanju was supposed to marry Pompi Oran next month. Speaking about her partner, Pompi told police he would often get liquor from neighboring states and sell it. "Some days he would get 5 liters or 10 liters or 15 liters and would sell it," she said. Police suspect the alcohol wasn't brewed inside the tea estate but was brought from outside.
Police have arrested two men
Swinging to action after the tragedy, police arrested owners of the illegal country-made liquor factory in Jugibaari area. The two arrested men have been identified as Indukalpa Bordoloi and Deba Bora. Saikia said investigations are on to arrest more accused.
Meanwhile, BJP loyalists attack local who questioned party's negligence
Golaghat Deputy Commissioner, Dhiren Hazarika has promised a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, Prabin Das, who heads a committee demanding liquor prohibition, was allegedly attacked by BJP cadres. Das has reportedly blamed the saffron party for its failure to keep a check on illegal alcohol companies. "It all happens because of a nexus between the excise department and illicit liquor manufacturers," Das had said.
Tragedy is painful, says CM Sonowal
Reportedly, two excise officials have been suspended for their negligence. Speaking on the incident, CM Sonowal said the series of events was extremely painful. "A high-level probe is being set up, which should be able to determine the cause of incident and lapses which could have led to such an incident," the Chief Minister added. Deaths due to illicit alcohol are quite common.
