IMPHAL, JULY 31 (NNN): The Manipur hooch tragedy toll has gone up to 5 today while 24 persons among the 71 people are in critical conditions in various hospitals in Imphal. On Friday last many people were admitted to various hospitals in Imphal after they consumed locally brewed liquor. An FIR has been lodged in this regard. Replying to a calling attention motion moved by MLA K. Meghachandra, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar said that 5 people have died due to the consumption of locally brewed liquor and 71 people have been admitted in different hospitals. Among the 71 persons, 24 persons are still in serious condition and hospitalized in Raj Medicity and Shija Hospitals. FIR has been lodged against two persons in connection with the case, he added. He further stated that the concrete reason for the cause of poisoning of the liquor is not yet known. According to the affected people, they feel severe headache, dizziness and have strong tendency of vomiting. The affected people also said that their eye sight is severely affected. Prompted by the incident, Manipur police has seized all locally brewed liquor from Leishangkhong village. Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh told the assembly today that ‘mass drives’ against illegal sale of drugs and liquor have been conducted by the police and other concerned departments. Despite being a dry State, large quantity of liquor has been confiscated recently. Biren Singh also said that the issue of production of liquor is of serious concern and “we all should stand together and take a unanimous decision on the ban of liquor in the State.” He assured that mass drives against illegal drugs and liquor would continue in future. The Chief Minister then lamented that the number of widows who have lost their husbands due to the substance abuse and alcohol is increasing considerably in the State. The government is planning to introduce various schemes to provide livelihood for these widows, he added. He appealed the people of the State not to intervene or overpower the police during raids against drugs, liquor, illegal trade of arms etc. Despite The Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991, production of local liquor is still practiced in many villages of the State. There are certain flaws and limitations in the Act like the Act permits the production of liquor for customary purposes.