At least 19 people have died across two separate locations in India’s northeastern state of Nagaland over the past two days after consuming a suspected spurious alcoholic drink, police confirmed on Saturday.
The fatalities were reported from two areas, with 11 deaths in the Tuensang area and eight in Mokokchung.
Nagaland has been a dry state for over three and a half decades, with the sale and consumption of all alcoholic beverages completely banned under state law.
Following the tragedy, the Nagaland state government constituted a special task force to trace the origin and distribution source of the toxic liquor. Local police said several individuals have already been arrested in connection with the case.
