Chandigarh: At least 21 people lost their lives and 10 others were hospitalised after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Amritsar’s Majitha area on Tuesday. Most of the victims were daily wage workers from seven nearby villages.
The police have arrested 10 people so far, including the main distributor and the alleged kingpin behind the racket. Investigations revealed that the toxic liquor contained methanol, a chemical that is harmful if consumed and is sometimes illegally added to increase alcohol content at a lower cost.
Officials suspended for negligence
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney and state police chief Gaurav Yadav said that two senior police officials – DSP (Majitha) Amolak Singh and SHO Avtar Singh – were suspended for negligence. Departmental inquiries have also been initiated.
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The victims belonged to the villages of Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Talwandi Khumman, Karnala, Bhangwan, and Therewal. Police have registered two FIRs under serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide, along with provisions of the Excise Act and SC/ST Act.
How illicit liquor was made and distributed
SSP Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh, said the police received information about the deaths around 9.30 pm on Monday. The main distributor, Prabhjeet Singh, was arrested along with others after a quick response. Interrogation led to the arrest of Sahib Singh, identified as the kingpin, who allegedly sourced methanol from a chemical company in Ludhiana.
The chemical was supplied by Sahil Chemicals, owned by Pankaj Kumar alias Sahil and Arvind Kumar. Prabhjeet diluted the methanol and sold it in two-litre packets. Another consignment from a Delhi-based supplier is reportedly on the way, and police are working to seize it.
So far, 600 litres of methanol have been recovered in a joint operation by Patiala Police and the Excise Department.
Bhagwant Mann announces compensation
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the affected villages, met with the families, and announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each of the deceased. He also assured free education for their children and job support for the families.
CM Mann described the deaths as “murders” and said such incidents could not occur without some level of political, bureaucratic, or police support. Two excise officers have also been suspended.
