Hooch tragedy claims 78 lives in Golaghat

ADGP Mukesh Agarwalla and Upper Assam Division Commissioner Julie Sonowal to inquire into the incident

A Correspondent

Golaghat: The number of deaths in the Hooch tragedy in Golaghat district rose to 78 till Saturday evening and at least 65 were hospitalised in various hospitals of the district.

Reports of death of people after consumption of spurious local alcohol came in from various places of Golaghat district. Besides Halmira Tea Estate, deaths were also reported in Wokha Goronga Tea Estate, Merapani, Jugibari, Noragaon and Golaghat town. Many people have been hospitalized and the number of deaths might further go up.

According to reports, almost 78 persons died in Golaghat district till filing of the report. Out of these, 35 died in Golaghat Swahid Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital, six people of Halmira TE were buried instead of being taken to the hospital, 11 persons died in Wokha Tea Estate, and 22 persons of Halmira TE who were sent to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital died.

State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the victims in Golaghat Swahitd Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital, said adequate number of medical staff had been brought from Guwahati and Dibrugarh to Golaghat and Jorhat for immediate handling of the situation. He said that stringent action would be taken against those involved in the incident. Further, he said that the government was looking into the matter very seriously and had ordered eviction of illegal local alcohol manufacturing units.

The government has ordered ADGP Mukesh Agarwalla and Upper Assam Division Commissioner Julie Sonowal to inquire into the incident. Sarma also said that if the police and excise officials were found to have an unholy nexus with illegal molasses businessmen and local alcohol sellers, they would not be spared. Strict action would be taken against them.

On the other hand, former PWD Minister Ajanta Neog, former forest minister Rakibul Hussain, Bismita Gogoi and Rupjyoti Kurmi visited the victims and the families of the deceased in Golaghat. Talking to the media, Ajanta Neog said that due to negligence of the district administration and excise department, the tragic incident took place in Golaghat district. Illegal local alcohol sale and production was going on under the nose of police and excise officials in Golaghat district as they got commission from the molasses businessmen, she alleged.

Neog further alleged that the excise and police officials knew from where illegal molasses and alcohol were supplied. The Assam Government should stop the illegal activities in order to control alcohol abuse in Golaghat. In this connection, several pleas had been made to the district administration to take action but no action was taken, Neog lamented.

Meanwhile, AJYCP, AASU and Mod Mukta Asom Dabi Samiti, Golaghat district committee carried out various protests in Golaghat town against the government demanding compensation for the families of the victims.

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