Kohima: The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission has launched a probe into the deaths of 20 people in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts. These fatalities stem from the suspected consumption of spurious liquor. Nine died in Mokokchung and 11 in Tuensang.
The Commission issued an interim order on September 30. It demands reports from the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and health and excise departments. The state operates under a strict liquor prohibition regime. The Commission stated the incident raises "serious questions concerning the protection of the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India."
Authorities must file their findings within four weeks. The Chief Secretary must determine if officials failed to stop the illegal booze. This includes potential negligence in the manufacturing or transport of the liquid. The Director General of Police must list all victims and report on any arrests or forensic results. Health officials need to provide status updates on those currently receiving medical care.
The Commission also requires details on financial aid for the victims' families. It has named several officials as respondents. These include the Deputy Commissioners and police chiefs of the affected districts. The inquiry aims to see if any public servants shirked their duties. While investigating, the Commission clarified it is not yet assigning blame. It has set the next hearing for November 5, 2026.
Updated at 1st October 2026 at 6:00pm
The Commission specifically ordered the Chief Secretary to clarify whether a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to handle the case. The probe goes beyond immediate actions, demanding that the Excise Department hand over data on all seizures, prosecutions, and enforcement tallies for Mokokchung and Tuensang covering the last three years. This includes revealing whether authorities had any prior intelligence or complaints about the networks now suspected of peddling the toxic brew.
The NSHRC also wants to see a clear plan for long-term fixes. Officials must detail future strategies for intelligence gathering, better coordination between departments, and improved emergency medical responses. If any reports reveal that public servants dropped the ball, those departments must outline exactly what kind of disciplinary or departmental action they intend to take against the staff involved.
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