Hooch Tragedy: Tea Garden Workers died in Golaghat, Many shited to Jorhat Medical College Hospital

Guwahati: In a tragic incident, at least 22 tea garden workers died in Halmira Tea Estate under Golaghat district after consuming spurious and contaminated liquor on Thursday evening.

As per sources, more than 45 plus tea garden workers are now being referred to Jorhat Medical College from Halmira Tea Estate Hospital in Golaghat for consuming the contaminated liquor in the tea estate. The incident had triggered sensation in the entire Tea Estate since yesterday.

Out of 22 deceased tea garden workers, nine were identified as Draupadi Urang, Bel Bhumij, Agni Gowala, Bondhin Bauri, Santi Pujor, Binti Bhokta, Dulal Urang, Suklal Pujor, Atuwa Pujor.

Meanwhile, the Excise Department informed The Sentinel Digital that they have apprehended two persons in connection to the incident on Friday morning. “We are conducting an operation in the entire region and we also expect that we might come out with some more clues in the incident by evening,” informed the Excise officer (not willing to be named).

Earlier, on being contacted the officer in charge, Golaghat Police Station, Rupjyoti Dutta on Thursday informed that four women had consumed contaminated liquor and were immediately rushed to the hospital for further treatment. Few of them were reported brought dead.

It may be mentioned that the matter got more serious after the numbers of death cases at the rose from 4 to 21 in the morning hours.

Following the incident, the Excise Department immediately launched an operation to nab the culprits.

Also, speaking to the media, Joint Director Golaghat Health Services, Dr. Ratul Bordoloi said, “I was informed that many tea garden workers at Halmira Tea Estate are now being treated at the Jorhat Medical College and Golaghat Civil for consuming spurious and contaminated liquor. Many of them were brought dead since yesterday evening. A medical unit has been formed to conduct all the essential activities in connection to the incident. So far 22 people were reported dead and 50 plus people are now being referred to Jorhat medical college hospital.”

Update: Assam Government announces a probe into the matter.