Alleging that laxity on the part of the Assam government led to a large number of deaths after consumption of hooch, leaders of APCC (Assam Pradesh Congress Committee) on Saturday have demanded Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya to resign.

Terming it a 'worst tragedy of post-Independent Assam', the Congress party ended their silence and critiqued govt's failure on illegal hooch trafficking in the state.

APCC President Ripun Borah said that the authorities concerned must be held accountable for the ill-fated incident and strict action must be taken against the guilty excise officers. Government has no control over illegal hooch trafficking. That's why, such incident has occurred.

Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya should take moral responsibility of the incident and resign.- he added.

Meanwhile, CM Sonowal and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government has taken stern action in the matter and those involved will not be spared.