JORHAT, April 30 � Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) today released 25 patients who were admitted to the hospital two days ago after consuming adulterated hooch at the Dholi tea garden and a neighbouring village of Titabor.
�Now 16 patients are undergoing treatment in our hospital. Their condition is stable,� said Dr Miranda Dutta, Deputy Superintendent of JMCH. Among the patients, 12 are women belonging to the age group 30 to 55.
She said that no case of death was reported today.
Government sources including police and hospital authorities today confirmed the death of a total of three persons of Nomati Gohai Gaon and Dholi Tea Estate yesterday after consuming hooch in their localities while unofficial sources of tea gardens said that another two breathed their last in the localities before they could be admitted to the Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH).
The deceased were identified as Bitul Saikia (38), Bohagi Chautal (55) and Fagu Chautal. Bitul and Bohagi died in the hospital while Fagu breathed his last before he was admitted to the JMCH.
However, sources from a Titabor tea garden said that another youth and a woman had died due to consuming �poisonous illicit liquor� before they were rushed to the JMCH. Their names are yet to be confirmed by the police.
Asked about the progress of the investigation into the case, police said that they have identified one Piti Gogoi of Rangajan area near Mariani, who allegedly produced the hooch and distributed it among the vendors in Dholi Tea Estate. �He is absconding. Investigation is on,� said a police officer of Titabor police station. The local people have demanded proper legal action against the producers and vendors of illicit liquor in the areas.
