The death toll in the Assam hooch tragedy rose to 143 on Sunday after more people died in hospitals in Golaghat and Jorhat districts, authorities said.
While 85 people (54 men, 31 women) died in Golaghat, 58 others (43 men, 15 women) died in Jorhat till Sunday evening.
"A total of 85 people died in Golaghat district after consuming spurious liquor... Close to 100 people are undergoing treatment in Golaghat. The rush of new patients has come down since the afternoon," said Golaghat Deputy Commissioner Dhiren Hazarika.
The Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat Roshni Korati said 58 people had died in the district till Sunday due to the hooch tragedy.
"A total of 160 people are undergoing treatment at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH). The conditions of 16 of them are stated to be critical," she said.
The Excise Department has been carrying out a series of operations against illegal country liquor sellers across the state. Many country liquors shops have been destroyed by the people, particularly women, following the tragedy.
Civil society groups along with the public have taken to the streets across Assam demanding stern punishment against those selling spurious liquor.
A senior spokesperson of the Excise Department said that 90 cases have been registered against unauthorized sale and production of hooch and violation of excise law.
"We have seized and destroyed 4,860 litre of illegal liquor since February 22," he said.
The tragedy struck the tea gardens of Golaghat and Jorhat after a large number of people consumed spurious liquor on Thursday night at the Salmora tea estate in Golaghat, 300 km from here, and in two villages in Jorhat district.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those undergoing treatment.
He also instructed Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of both Jorhat and Golaghat districts to make all necessary arrangements to provide relief to the affected families.
Tripura closes all schools for 4 days due to heat wave conditions
With the state buffeted by a heat wave, the Tripura government on Wednesday declared a holiday in all schools for four days from Wednesday to provide respite to children.
All three units of EVMs have their own microcontroller, ECI tells SC
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday apprised the Supreme Court that all three units (i.e. ballot unit, control unit and VVPAT) of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have their own microcontroller.
Congress ready to set 'dangerous precedent' by implementing Inheritance Tax: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed the Congress, saying that the party seeks to destroy the ordinary people of India economically and is about to set a "dangerous precedent" by implementing an 'Inheritance Tax' if voted to power.
PM Modi has lifted 400 million people out of poverty: JP Morgan CEO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken 400 million (40 crore) people out of poverty and is doing an “unbelievable job” in India, Global banking giant JP Morgan Chase chief executive officer (CEO) Jamie Dimon has said.
India to become one of biggest chip hubs in next 5 years: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India has commissioned four semiconductor manufacturing units and in the next five years, the country will become one of the biggest semiconductor hubs in the world, Union Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.
PM Modi highlights need for resilient infrastructure at 39-nation meet on natural disasters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday emphasised the need to invest in resilient infrastructure as part of the strategy to minimise the damage from natural disasters that are on the rise across the world.
India calls for ‘gender-responsive arms control’ to prevent sexual violence in conflicts
To combat sexual violence in conflict situations, India has advocated a multifaceted approach which includes “gender-responsive arms control” that prevents the proliferation of weapons.
Pressing UNSC reforms, India highlights consensus in G20 with broader membership
Pressing the case for Security Council reforms, India has highlighted the consensus arrived at the more representative G20 Summit on issues that could not make it through the UN's highest decision-making body stuck in a "cold war" mode.