Aizawl, July 21 -- At least 49 people, including five women, have died in Mizoram due to complications related to alcohol consumption between January and June this year, a senior official said.

State Excise and Narcotics Department Commissioner Z. Lalhmangaiha said the department has been making massive efforts to curb the menace of drug, alcohol, and other substance abuse.

He said the department has so far examined and tested samples of country-made or locally brewed alcohol twice, as it is reportedly dangerous for human consumption.

He added that the department sent the first sample to Delhi for laboratory testing in 2023, and the results confirmed that the country-made liquor was extremely dangerous for consumption.

This year, he s...