JORHAT, Jan 20 - Two youths died and three others were admitted to the Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) early this morning after they consumed hooch at Monaimaji village in Dhekorgorha area of Jorhat where illegal trade of liquor continues unabated.
The deceased were identified as 34-year-old Promod Bora and 26-year-old Samiran Bora of the village who allegedly bought the illicit liquor from a trader of Dhekorgorha locality. The other youths, namely Hareswar Bora, Sunit Bora and Mintu Kock, were admitted to the JMCH after they developed symptoms of serious illness after consuming the liquor.
Expressing serious concern over the death of the youths, hundreds of women and youths of the locality protested in front of the residences of two hooch-traders of the village and demanded police and Excise officials to take immediate action to stop such illicit trade of liquor in the area.
It may be mentioned that neither police nor Excise officials of Jorhat initiated any action against the illicit liquor trade in the locality where several government offices, higher secondary school, hospital and many other institutions are situated.
During the protest, several women of the locality criticised police for their inaction against the hooch-traders who literally posed a serious threat to the civil society of the entire Dhekorgarha area as many of the consumers were involved in violence regularly.
�We requested administration to take steps to stop the illegal trade of liquor in our area where several important institutions are present. However, neither police nor any officer of the State Excise Department took initiative in this regard,� said a lady teacher of Dhekorgorha area.
However, to pacify the protest of the people, police officials and district administration officials rushed to the spot and organised a public meeting with the villagers of Dhekorgarha area. The officials said that they will take necessary action to solve the problem in the area where several incidents of crimes and frequent fights have been taking place regularly.
