Punjab: At least 14 die, 6 critical consuming illicit liquor in Amritsar village; authorities conduct door-to-door checks

At least 14 persons died consuming spurious liquor in five villages in Punjab's capital, Amritsar, on Tuesday. Authorities are conducting door-to-door checks in the villages to find whether more people have consumed the spurious liquor and to provide timely treatment.

 

According to Punjab police, five persons have been arrested in connection with the deaths and a probe is underway. The casualties were reported in five villages in Amritsar - Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Therewal and Talwandi Ghuman.

 

Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said the five arrested in connection with the case have been identified as Prabhjit Singh, Kulbir Singh, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh and Ninder Kaur. According to police, Prabhjit Sinh is the main accused in the case. Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Excise Act. Sawhney said medical teams are going door-to-door and conducting necessary checks.

 

SSP Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh told ANI," Four local suppliers arrested on Monday revealed the name of a liquor supplier named Prabhjeet. They told about the kingpin, Sahib Singh, who supplies methanol. He obtained 50-litre of methanol, which was diluted to make 120 litres. This was sold to the four local suppliers. We have invoked stringent sections of the law against the six arrested persons. FIR registered under 105 BNS." 

 

The Congress blamed the Aam Aadmi Party for their calamity. Amritsar MP and Congress leader Gurjeet Singh Aujla said, "This is a failure of the police and administration. It (liquor) is being sold openly. The chief minister, home minister, excise minister and officials do not know what is happening on the ground? Is it not their responsibility? The liquor mafia must be punished," ANI reported.

 

India