Police seize 470 liquor bottles and beer cans as investigation continues, urge public to avoid liquor from unknown or unauthorised sources
Tuensang Police are investigating the deaths of nine people reported in Tuensang Town and Chendang Saddle on September 10 and 11, amid a circumstantial linkage with alcohol consumption.
In a press release issued on September 13, police said all nine deaths have a “direct or indirect circumstantial linkage” with alcohol consumption and are being investigated accordingly.
However, police clarified that the suspected consumption of spurious or adulterated liquor as the cause of the deaths cannot be scientifically and conclusively established at this stage.
The matter came to light after Tuensang Police received reports on September 12 regarding a pattern of deaths among people admitted to Tuensang Civil Hospital. Preliminary enquiries revealed that, in most cases, the deceased had reportedly consumed liquor before developing symptoms including blurred vision, severe headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Following the reports, Tuensang Police conducted search and raid operations across Tuensang Town and the Chendang Saddle area to identify and seize suspected unauthorised or spurious/adulterated liquor.
During the operations, approximately 470 bottles of IMFL and beer cans were seized from different locations, police said.
Police further stated that three of the deceased were members of a family from whose premises the liquor had reportedly been purchased by the deceased persons.
One other person, reportedly a family member of the seller, died by hanging and is being investigated separately as a case of suicide, according to police.
Police said that establishing the cause of the deaths is complicated by the fact that postmortem examinations were not conducted in most cases, as the mortal remains had already been taken for funerals before police became aware of the pattern of deaths.
The present assessment is therefore based on available medical records, preliminary enquiries and other information gathered during the investigation, police said.
Further scientific and medical examinations are being undertaken in coordination with the concerned authorities to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths, the source and nature of the liquor consumed and any possible responsibility for the incident.
Meanwhile, Tuensang Police have urged the public to avoid purchasing or consuming liquor from unknown or unauthorised sources and to refrain from consuming liquor suspected to be adulterated, tampered with or of doubtful quality.
Police have also advised anyone who develops symptoms such as blurred vision, severe headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting after consuming liquor to seek immediate medical attention and inform the nearest police station or concerned authorities.
The police have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the ongoing investigation, while refraining from spreading rumours or unverified information and relying on official updates.
Police said the source of the liquor remains unclear and urged people to abstain from consuming liquor while the investigation and further scientific and medical examinations are underway.
