HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, May 23: Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner (DC) Swapnil Paul on Thursday stated that the 11 deaths at Tongona tea estate were not due to cholera or diarrhoea, but resulted from the consumption of illicit liquor and other illnesses.
Addressing a press conference in Tinsukia, Paul clarified, “The 11 deceased workers from Tongna tea estate did not die from cholera or diarrhoea. Comprehensive tests conducted by ICMR revealed no evidence of these diseases in their samples.”
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“The ICMR tests showed no signs of cholera or diarrhoea in the workers’ bodies. The district administration and health department’s investigation confirmed this,” Paul emphasised.
He further added that the health department and administration have determined that some workers died due to the consumption of illicit liquor, while others succumbed to other health issues.
“A 24-hour mobile medical camp has been established in Tongna tea estate,” he said.
At least 11 individuals died in Tongona tea estate in Tinsukia within one week, sparking concerns about the health crisis in the tea garden area.
The DC said that that a fact-finding team visited the affected families and collected the medical history of the victims along with their statements regarding the circumstances leading to the deaths.
The excise department has been directed to destroy all the dens near the tea gardens in the district where illicit liquor is being brewed and the department has also launched operations in this regard, the DC added.
The health officials are also conducting regular check-ups in the tea gardens since the incident and the garden authorities have been urged to cooperate with the district administration.
Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed state chief secretary Ravi Kota and the district commissioner to take action in this regard and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, Labour and Tea Tribes Welfare minister Sanjay Kishan visited the garden to assess the situation.
The deceased have been identified as Sunu Tanti (69), Dibisanta Tanti (28), Sunil Tanti (43), Punu Tanti (68), Jimmy Garh (60), Sita Tanti (32), Loiya Tanti (50), Sachin Tanti (43), Sibrat Gowala (45), Dhanu Tanti (50), and Gorothi Urang (60). (With inputs from PTI)
