The Jorhat district administration is getting ready to pay the ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who died in the hooch tragedy in Assam’s Jorhat district.
Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Roshni A Korati said that the bank accounts of those, who didn’t have accounts, are in the process of being opened, following which the amount would be deposited in each of such bank accounts.
Rs 50,000 would also be paid to those who suffered permanent disability after the doctors certified them.
In Jorhat district. 60 people have died in between February 22 to February 26 after consuming spurious liquor on the night of February 21 mostly in Borholla and Rajabari tea Estates in Titabor Sub-Division of the district.
Korati said that the enquiry report by Mitali Lahon, Titabar revenue circle officer was yet to be submitted and if a nexus was found between police and Excise officials as alleged by a few organisations, then the district administration would take action.
Regarding the raids and seizing of large quantities of molasses from which the illicit hooch is made, Korati said that no license was required from the state to store and sell it.
The seizure of the molasses was based on promulgation of Section 144 CrPC in the district.
The section had been promulgated on February 23 and would be valid for 60 days.
Regarding no arrests being made of the four persons from whose warehouses, the molasses had been seized in Jorhat, Korati said that police was investigating their involvement. Two officials of the Excise department in Jorhat Tapeswar Deka, Excise Inspector, Titabar and Excise assistant inspectorTitabar Dulal Bora, have been suspended by the Excise Department.
