Assam hooch tragedy toll touches 133

The tragedy occurred after a large number of people consumed the spurious liquor on Thursday night at the Salmora tea estate in Golaghat.

Guwahati:  The death toll in the Assam hooch tragedy increased to 133 on Sunday, with over 200 people hospitalised in Golaghat and Jorhat districts, authorities said.

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.

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.

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

He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the victims' families and Rs 50,000 to the people undergoing treatment.

The tragedy occurred after a large number of people consumed the spurious liquor on Thursday night at the Salmora tea estate in Golaghat, 300 km from here, and at two remote villages in Titabor sub-division of Jorhat district.

IANS