Spurious Liquor Tragedy Claims At Least 15 Lives In Amritsar, 10 Battling For Life: Report

According to news reports, at least 15 people have allegedly succumbed to illicit alcohol consumption in Amritsar, Punjab with 10 of them in critical condition.

CHANDIGARH: According to news reports, at least 15 people have allegedly succumbed to illicit alcohol consumption in Amritsar, Punjab with 10 of them in critical condition. Patients in critical condition have been reportedly admitted to Amritsar civil hospital. Sources indicate the death toll is likely to rise. This incident happened in five villages of Majitha area in Punjab's Amritsar. As per reports from the state police, 5 people including the main supplier and the alleged kingpin have been arrested in connection with this case. Authorities say that further investigation is underway.

The deceased include youths from Patalpuri, Bhangali, Therewal, Marari Kalan and Talwandi Ghuman villages. Reports say that some residents of Bhullar, Tangra and Sandha villages also consumed illicit liquor after which many began to experience severe symptoms of poisoning.

According to police sources, the liquor distribution network kingpin identified as Sahib Singh and the main supplier Prabhjit Singh have been arrested. Other accused Kulbir Singh, Gurjant Singh and Ninder Kaur have also been arrested.

Senior Superintendent of Police of Amritsar (Rural) Maninder Singh said in a statement to media that the police received information about the case at around 9:30 pm last night. He received information regarding the fact that people had begun experiencing symptoms of poisoning after consuming spurious liquor due to which several died.

Singh also stated that the police are investigating which firms have supplied the liquor to the accused. "The suppliers have ordered the chemical online and then the local suppliers manufacture this illicit liquor and put into packets and sold to these daily wagers. Our teams have left for other states to apprehend these suppliers. Two cases have been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Excise Act," said Singh.

Accprding to the statement by Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar Sakshi Sawhney, "An unfortunate tragedy has happened in Majitha area. We got to know yesterday night that in five villages people have died after taking illicit liquor and many of them are critical. The medical teams were rushed to the spot and thesel teams are still going door-to-door and checking whether people have some symptoms or not, we are taking them to the hospital so that we can save them. The government is extending all the help possible," Sawhney said.