Guwahati, February 23: At least 83 people died due to consumption of spurious liquor in Golaghat and Jorhat districts, while 200 others were hospitalised. After the tragedy, the Excise Department and district administration are conducting operation across the state against manufacture and sale of illicit liquor. Around 15,000 litres of liquor was destroyed across the state. Meanwhile, seven people were also arrested in connection with the case. Liquor Sales Rose by 10 Per Cent in 2018 After Two Consecutive Years of Fall, Demand For Whisky, Rum And Vodka Increased.

PRO, Assam excise department's tweet:

S Pandey, Public Relation Officer (PRO) Excise Department of Assam told media that the Assam government would give Rs two lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of the victims, while others affected by the consumption of spurious liquor would get Rs 50,000. According to reports, many of those that drank the liquor were tea plantation workers who had just received their weekly wages. Two excise officials of Salmara area have been suspended for neglect.

Around 15,000 litres of spurious liquor destroyed after the tragedy:

Earlier this month, nearly 97 were killed in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand hooch tragedy. A total of 215 people were arrested in a sweeping police crackdown on illicit liquor in Uttar Pradesh, reports said. Facing widespread criticism over the hooch tragedy, the Uttarakhand government announced a house committee would probe the incident, and it would also enact a stringent law against spurious liquor.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2019 08:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).