Dimapur, Sept. 27 -- Nagaland's Mokokchung DC Ajit Kumar Verma on Saturday said eight people have died so far in the district due to consumption of suspected spurious liquor.

Addressing a joint press conference in his office, Verma said joint raids by the police and district administration across all subdivisions, including Mokokchung town, have led to 19 arrests for allegedly selling liquor.

He said the seized liquor would be destroyed and reiterated the administration's zero-tolerance policy.

The first report of the deaths of four people at Mangkolemba in the district emerged on September 24 after consumption of spurious liquor. Two deaths each in Mangkolemba and Police Station-II area were reported on September 25.

Meanwhile, the M...