GUWAHATI: The death toll in the Assam hooch tragedy has mounted to 102, with more deaths reported from hospitals on Saturday. The toll is likely to increase as unconfirmed reports claimed more deaths outside hospitals in remote villages. Over 300 victims have remained admitted in hospitals in Jorhat and Golaghat.
Assam government has announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to next of kin of each of those killed in the hooch tragedy so far while Rs 50,000 has been announced for each of the victims undergoing treatment in hospitals.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday visited Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) to take stock of the victims of the hooch tragedy undergoing treatment there and announced the ex-gratia to next of kin of those died.
The CM directed the Health Department to take all necessary steps. He also expressed his deepest condolences to the family of those who died in the incident.
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday visited the Golaghat Civil Hospital where 59 people have died since Friday.
Total Forty-three persons have died in Jorhat district hospitals — Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) and Titabor Sub-Division Hospital (four deaths) on Saturday, the office of Assam Health Minister , Himanta Biswa Sarma informed.
According to the Health Minister, 221 people remain hospitalised in Jorhat while 93 were being treated in Golaghat.
The hooch tragedy struck at two places in state state –the worse one at Salmora Tea Estate in Golaghat district while the other incident took place at two villages under Titabor Sub-division in Golaghat district.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister held an urgent meeting with state Chief secretary Alok Kumar and Director General of Police (DGP), Kuladhar Saikia to review the situation arising out of the unprecedented hooch tragedy. The CM ordered massive crack down on sale of illicit liquor.
Sonowal has asked the officials to take up stern steps to stop the sale of illegal liquor. State Excise Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya has ordered a probe into the matter and that is in addition to the inquiry that has been initiated by Upper Assam Commissioner Julie Sonowal at the instruction of the Chief Minister.
Sources said a large number of people had consumed liquor in the tea estate on Thursday night after procuring the stock from a particular seller. Several of them took ill immediately and many died even before they could be taken to the hospital.