Gogoi orders inquiry into labourers' death

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi ordered an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of 14 construction workers hailing from the state in neighbouring Meghalaya.

Gogoi directed Additional Chief Secretary, Shyam Lal Mewara, to inquire into the circumstances leading to the death of the labourers with cooperation from the Meghalaya government, an official release said here on Wednesday.

Chief Secretary Jitesh Khosla has taken up the matter with his Meghalaya counterpart, the sources said.

The construction workers, hailing from Dhubri in Assam, were suspected to have a consumed a poisonous wild fruit 'soh khuiatur' in Saipung village of East Jaintia Hills district on Monday last and died owing to food poisoning.

The Meghalaya police have prima facie ruled out any foul play but were awaiting the post-mortem report for confirmation.