Hooch tragedy toll rises to 4

Two distillers arrested, liquor samples collected

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 30

Two more persons died after allegedly drinking spurious country liquor and a total of 64 persons were admitted to RIMS till today afternoon.

Khumanthem Mohindro (55) son of late Kh. Tombi died last night at around 10.30pm and Oinam Brojendro brother of late Oinam Shyam (who died yesterday) died today afternoon at around 3pm.

Altogether four individuals of Oinam Sawombung died after drinking spurious wine bought from two vendors of their locality and around six persons including owner of a drinking joint identified as Ashem Shyamkumar (50) son of late A. Ibocha are in critical condition, official sources said.

Another vendor owner was also hopitalised yesterday at RIMS. However, he was found missing from the hospital since yesterday evening. He is also not at his residence, according to the locals of Oinam Sawombung.

Police seized all the liquor and liquor making items from Thiyam Leishangkhong Kabui Khul today as the liquor sold by the two vendors is allegedly manufactured in this village.

Moreover, Wangoi police have arrested two individuals identified as Apu Kamei (24) son of Khamba Kamei and Bina Kamei (48) wife of Khamba Kamei both from Thiyang Leishangkhong as they are suspected to be the manufacturer of the liquor sold to the two vendors.

They were produced before the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West today and the court remanded both the accused persons to six days police custody for further investigation.

Imphal West food safety team led by food safety officers Soubam Purnila and Nongallei Pebam collected the liquor sample sold at the vendors and also sample from the manufacturer for laboratory testing.

While observing the sample of the wine sold in the vendors, the food safety team observed some suspended white particles in the wine.

Around 15 individuals were discharged from RIMS until today afternoon according to patient party.