The death toll in Assam's hooch tragedy has reached up to 123 while 331 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals across the city. Health department officials said that some of the deaths at homes have not been reported to authorities.
A senior health department official told that at least 71 people have died in Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH), where another 272 are under treatment. Meanwhile, four more died in Titabor Subdivision Hospital in Jorhat district and the death count reached 49 in Golaghat district. As many as 59 people are admitted in Golaghat Civil Hospital, the officials told.
On Thursday night, a large number of laborers of two tea estates of Golaghat and Jorhat districts had fallen ill after consuming spurious liquor on Thursday night. As many as 12 of them had died the same night.
The Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Health Minister Himanta Sarma had on Saturday reviewed the condition of victims undergoing treatment at JMCH.
The CM announced a monetary compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who fell ill. Also, an inquiry into the incident by Upper Assam Division Commissioner Julie Sonowal has been initiated and the report is asked within a month. The Assam Director General of Police, Kuladhar Saikia told the agency, 12 persons have been detained in Golaghat for interrogation in the case.
