NEW DELHI, Sept. 26 -- At least 19 people have died across two separate locations in India's northeastern state of Nagaland over the past two days after consuming a suspected spurious alcoholic drink, police confirmed on Saturday.

The fatalities were reported from two areas, with 11 deaths in the Tuensang area and eight in Mokokchung.

Nagaland has been a dry state for over three and a half decades, with the sale and consumption of all alcoholic beverages completely banned under state law.

Following the tragedy, the Nagaland state government constituted a special task force to trace the origin and distribution source of the toxic liquor. Local police said several individuals have already been arrested in connection with the case.

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