At least 15 people have died and nearly a dozen are in critical condition after consuming spurious liquor in several villages of Amritsar’s Majitha block. The tragedy, which has shocked the local community, is feared to grow worse as officials say the death toll may rise. Most of the victims belonged to villages like Bhangali Kalan, Thariewal, Sangha, and Marari Kalan. Authorities have now launched a full-scale investigation and arrested key suspects linked to the illegal liquor supply chain.
Victims bought liquor from same source
According to local police officials, all the affected individuals had reportedly purchased liquor from a single source on Sunday evening. Several of them died the next morning. In a disturbing revelation, some villagers cremated the deceased without informing the authorities, while others claimed the deaths were due to heart attacks, delaying official response.
It wasn’t until late Monday that police received credible information about the deaths. SHO of Majitha, Aabtaab Singh, confirmed that multiple families had concealed the cause of death, possibly out of fear or due to social pressure.
The victims who survived the initial impact were rushed to Amritsar’s civil hospital, where they remain in a critical state. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney visited the hospital and confirmed the toll, adding that the number of fatalities could increase.
Key suppliers arrested; Statewide probe launched
The Punjab government has taken swift action, with a spokesperson confirming that two FIRs have been registered in the case. The alleged main suppliers, Prabhjit Singh and Sahib Singh, were arrested from the Rajasansi area near the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar.
Additionally, four others who had distributed the illicit liquor in nearby villages have also been taken into custody. The police have begun tracking the broader supply network, including leads extending beyond Punjab to other states. Authorities suspect the liquor may have been sourced from unlicensed vendors operating near key transport hubs, possibly including Chandigarh International Airport and Ludhiana Airport.
This incident brings back grim memories of the 2020 hooch tragedy in the Majha region of Punjab, when over 130 people lost their lives after consuming contaminated liquor in Tarn Taran, Amritsar, and Gurdaspur. The state had then faced immense criticism for regulatory lapses, and now, five years later, the cycle appears to be repeating, with another avoidable disaster unfolding in the same region.
