On September 28, 2024, Nagaland police announced that 19 residents of Mokokchung and Tuensang districts had died after drinking spurious liquor laced with methanol.
The first four fatalities were reported on September 24 in Mangkolemba, with another four people falling ill that same day. Over the following days, the toll climbed to eight in Mokokchung and eleven in Tuensang.
Forensic Science Laboratory, Dimapur, confirmed that the liquor samples contained methanol, though a quantitative estimate could not be made due to lack of instruments. The samples are now on analysis at Guwahati.
Sandeep M Tamgadge, the state’s Additional Director General of Police, said the authorities had already arrested several suspects and had seized more than 3,200 bottles across the two districts.
The DGP also issued a red alert for eastern districts and urged residents to avoid unlabelled alcohol. Police have set up a Special Investigative Team to pursue the case.
A probe into the supply chain is underway, and the SIT plans to submit its findings to the state government by the end of next week, with further arrests likely.