udalguri kmss hooch
Image: Northeast Now

The Udalguri district unit of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) on Sunday took to the streets in the district in protest against Assam government’s apathy in curbing illicit liquor trade in Assam.

Also read: Assam: Hooch tragedy death toll rises to 143, hundreds undergoing treatment

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The Udalguri district unit of the KMSS alleged that due to the lackadaisical attitude of the excise department in curbing the menace of illegal liquor more than 140 people, mostly tea garden labourers died in the hooch tragedy of Golaghat and Jorhat districts.

Also read: Assam Government imposes blanket ban on ‘laligur’ used in country liquor

The activists burnt the effigy of state excise minister, Parimal Suklabaidya on Mangaldai-Bhutiachang road at Tangla town in Udalguri district on Sunday.

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The activists rendering the air with slogans against the minister demanded resignation of the minister taking moral responsibility.

“The irresponsible nature and high level of corruption from head to toe in the excise department have made way for a flourishing trade of illicit liquor by unscrupulous people in connivance with the excise officials,” said Pankaj Asomia, the assistant general secretary of Udalguri chapter of KMSS.