At least 12 dead in Assam hooch tragedy, many taken ill

 At least 12 persons have died and over 30 others were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor at a tea garden in Assam's Golaghat district, police said on Friday.

The incident took place on Thursday night at Salmira tea estate in Golaghat, 300 km from here.

"We have got 12 bodies here at the Golaghat Civil Hospital. Apart from these, there are reports of death of people from adjoining areas of the tea estate," Golaghat Additional Deputy Commissioner Dhiraj told IANS.

He said they have referred 27 others to the Jorhat Medical College for better treatment and condition of some is serious.

Locals said several people consumed liquor in the estate from a particular seller on Thursday night. Several of them took ill immediately and many have not even been hospitalised.

They also complained about a nexus between police authorities and illegal liquor sellers.-IANS