Kohima, Sep 26: At least 19 people have died in Nagaland Mokokchung and Tuensang districts over the past two days after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor, prompting police to launch a probe into the source and supply chain of the illicit alcohol, officials said on Saturday. As many as 19 people have been arrested in connection with the hooch tragedy till now.

A police official in Kohima said eight deaths were reported in Mokokchung district and 11 in Tuensang district.

He said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Superintendent of Police, Bunglang Chang, has been constituted to investigate the deaths and trace the source of the suspected adulterated liquor.

“Some leads have been obtained, but it is too premature to disclose details,” the official said.

Samples of the liquor have been sent to a laboratory in Guwahati for forensic examination to ascertain the cause of the deaths, he said.

Following the fatalities, police conducted raids at multiple locations and arrested 19 people, while nearly 3,000 bottles of liquor were seized.

Nagaland has had a prohibition law in force since 1990, although the consumption and illegal sale of liquor continue to pose challenges in the state.

Police have, on a number of occasions, advised people against consuming unidentified, unlabelled or suspected illicit liquor and urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol to seek immediate medical attention.

The investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, earlier this month at least nine people, including three members of a family, died at the Tuensang Civil Hospital in Nagaland after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor, prompting the state police to issue a red alert and urge people to refrain from consuming liquor from unknown or unauthorised sources.

Police officials had said that the victims reportedly complained of breathlessness after consuming the suspected adulterated liquor and subsequently died.

Nagaland Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma had said that the victims reportedly succumbed to what is suspected to be spurious liquor. An official release had said that a total of nine deaths were reported in Tuensang Town and Chendang Saddle on September 10 and 11.

Preliminary enquiries revealed that in most of the cases, the deceased had reportedly consumed liquor before developing symptoms such as blurred vision, severe headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Widespread information dissemination and public awareness efforts have also been undertaken to alert people about the potential risks associated with consuming liquor obtained from unknown, unauthorised or suspected adulterated sources, a police official said.

Washington, Sep 23: The United States announced plans to provide an additional $31 million for Nepal’s recovery from devastating floods, including funding for permanent bridges, humanitarian assistance and US-made drones.

The announcement came as about 70 Americans remained unaccounted for following the disaster.

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker announced the proposed assistance during a meeting with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in New York, according to the State Department.

Hooker conveyed US sympathies to those affected by the floods, including the families of Americans whose whereabouts remained unknown.

The largest component of the package is $13 million for US-made drones intended to strengthen Nepal’s ability to respond to future disasters and support recovery operations.

The State Department did not provide details about the type or number of drones under consideration. It also did not identify the US manufacturers that could supply them.

Washington also plans to work with Congress to provide $10 million for permanent, custom-built bridges. The bridges will be sourced from an American company, the department said.

The proposed bridges are intended to restore transport links damaged by the flooding and improve regional connectivity in affected areas. Roads and bridges are particularly important in Nepal, where difficult mountain terrain can leave communities isolated after floods and landslides.

Another $8 million will be directed towards water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as shelter, protection and livelihood assistance.

Part of that allocation will support winterisation programmes for communities facing colder weather without adequate housing or infrastructure.

The State Department said the new announcement would raise total US assistance for Nepal’s flood response and recovery to more than $36 million.

“The United States will continue to work closely with the Government of Nepal to identify and deliver additional assistance where it is most needed,” the department said.

Tuesday’s meeting took place on the sidelines of high-level diplomatic engagements in New York, where world leaders and senior officials had gathered for the United Nations General Assembly.

The flood disaster has also prompted an effort by US authorities to locate American citizens caught in the affected areas. Earlier reports said some Americans had reached safety, but the new State Department statement said approximately 70 remained unaccounted for.

Kolkata, Sep 19: At least one person was killed, and 22 others were injured after lightning struck a group of football players and spectators who had taken shelter under a tree during a rainstorm at a football tournament in West Bengal’s Jhargram district, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday evening in Kumarbandh village under the Lalgarh police station area, where a two-day football tournament had been organised for Vishwakarma Puja. According to local residents, play was halted after sudden rain accompanied by lightning. Players and spectators gathered under a tarpaulin erected beneath a tree when a lightning bolt struck the shelter.

Officers of Lalgarh police station reached the spot after receiving the information. The injured were rescued and first taken to the Lalgarh Primary Health Centre, where doctors declared one person dead.

The condition of four others was critical. They were quickly shifted to the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. Later, on the instructions of the district administration, the remaining 17 injured were also taken to the same hospital. One person is undergoing treatment at the Lalgarh Rural Hospital.

The deceased was identified as Deepen Murmu (19), a Class 11 student and a resident of Kumarbandh village.

According to police, a two-day football tournament for 16 football teams was organised at Kumarbandh on the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja. This was the first day of the football tournament when the tragedy struck.

Recalling the incident, eyewitness Sagen Hansda said a powerful lightning strike plunged the area into darkness. When he regained his senses, he found most of those gathered lying on the ground and helped move them from a waterlogged area of the playground to safer ground.

Manav Singla, Superintendent of Police, Jhargram, said police acted swiftly to rescue the victims and ensure their transfer to hospitals for treatment.

Local MLA Lakshmi Kanta Sau visited the hospital and met the injured. He said the state government had directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment and extend all necessary support to the affected families.