Assam hooch tragedy toll reaches 85

Guwahati, Feb 23 (IANS) The Assam hooch tragedy death toll has risen to 85, the state government said on here Saturday.

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the Golaghat Civil Hospital and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, said this in a whatsapp message circulated to the media.

Of the 221 admitted to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, 46 died. At Golaghat Civil Hospital, 35 of the 93 people admitted died. Four deaths in Titabor Subdivisional Hospital took the toll to 85, the Health Minister said.

The toll is likely to increase as many deaths from remote villages were yet to be reported, he added.

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 the Jorhat district.

According to locals, several people consumed liquor, procured from a local dealer, on Thursday night at the tea garden. While several were taken ill soon after, many people were not even taken to the hospital.

After an urgent meeting with state Chief secretary Alok Kumar and Director General Of Police Kuladhar Saikia, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal asked officials to take stern steps to curb sale of illegal liquor.

State Excise Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya has ordered a probe into the matter.