At least 102 people have died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor in Assam’s Golaghat and Jorhat districts, sources told The Quint on Saturday, 23 February.

With the death toll rising steadily, the Assam government on Saturday banned ‘lali gur’ (jaggery/liquid), a substance used to make illicit liquor. The government had given the license for this liquid because it was given to cows, but people have now started using it to manufacture the illicit liquor, reports the thequint.com.

The death toll in Golaghat has risen to 46, while more are admitted in the Golaghat government hospital. Meanwhile, 34 people have been reported dead in Jorhat, with another 22 people reported dead in Borhola. Twenty-seven people are admitted in the Golaghat hospital, and 121 are undergoing treatment in the Jorhat hospital.

The Assam government has announced compensation for the families of those have died in the incident. Assam Finance and Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma on Saturday paid a visit to the Golaghat hospital to meet those admitted there.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the incident took place at the Halmira Tea Estate in the district, with a sample of alcohol being sent for forensic investigation by the police.

Parimal Suklabaidya, Assam Excise Minister, has ordered a probe into the incident, reported News18. Two excise officials from the Salmara area have been suspended for neglect, said the report.