The National People’s Party (NPP) has demanded a comprehensive, transparent and time-bound investigation into the suspected adulterated liquor deaths in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts, with the reported death toll reaching 23 following three additional deaths at Longphayimsen village under Longtho Police Station.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, NPP national vice-president Vevoyi Wideo D Vadeo expressed grave concern over the continuing fatalities and extended condolences to the bereaved families, including those from neighbouring Assam, whose loved ones had died under tragic circumstances.
The NPP said the recurrence of deaths linked to suspected adulterated and spurious liquor pointed to serious enforcement failures and the availability of illicit liquor across Nagaland, particularly in border areas.
“In a dry state, how is poisonous liquor being manufactured, transported and sold so openly?” the party asked, stating that the scale of the tragedy demanded urgent attention from the State Government and enforcement agencies.
While acknowledging that the exact cause of the deaths remained subject to forensic confirmation, the NPP said the reported toll of 23 could not be dismissed as mere consumption. It called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incidents, including the possible existence of an organised illicit network and systemic failures within the State machinery.
The party urged the Nagaland Government to order a comprehensive investigation into the recent deaths and previous related incidents, particularly to establish whether an organised network was involved in the supply and distribution of illicit or adulterated liquor.
It also called for stronger inter-state coordination between the police and enforcement agencies of Nagaland and Assam to identify the sources, suppliers and distribution channels of the suspected adulterated liquor.
The NPP further demanded appropriate legal action against individuals or networks found responsible, based on forensic evidence and the findings of the investigation. It urged the government to provide relief and assistance to the bereaved families and strengthen public awareness of the dangers of consuming liquor from unverified sources.
The party said the deaths also raised broader questions about public health, enforcement mechanisms and the effectiveness of existing regulatory arrangements in Nagaland. It maintained that the protection of human life must remain paramount and that no policy framework should be beyond objective examination when repeated tragedies exposed possible gaps in implementation.
Stressing that the issue should be addressed beyond political considerations, the NPP called for a response grounded in compassion for affected families, scientific investigation and firm administrative action.
“This is not the time to debate morality. This is about the Government’s constitutional duty to protect the right to life of its citizens,” Vadeo stated.
He said the existence of a prohibition placed a responsibility on the government to enforce it, adding that the alleged failure to do so had cost 23 lives, while the actual toll could be higher due to unreported cases.
The NPP urged the State Government to treat the matter with the seriousness and urgency it deserved and take every possible measure to prevent further loss of life.