The North News
Amritsar, May 13
At least 21 people have died after drinking spurious liquor in four villages of Punjab’s Amritsar district, police said on Tuesday. The victims, most of whom were daily-wage labourers employed at brick kilns, consumed the toxic alcohol in Bhangali, Bhullar, Tangra, and Sandha villages in the Majitha area. Senior police officials said the death toll may rise further, with several others hospitalised in critical condition.
Following the tragedy, police arrested four people allegedly linked to the sale and supply of the illicit liquor. Among them is Prabhjeet Singh, described as the mastermind behind the operation.
His brother, Kulbir Singh alias Jaggu, Sahib Singh from Mardi Kalan, Gurjant Singh, and Ninder Kaur from Thirenwal have also been arrested. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh, said that Prabhjeet Singh admitted to using 50 litres of methanol to produce 120 litres of adulterated alcohol. “Raids are ongoing to recover the remaining stock of spurious liquor,” the SSP said. An FIR has been registered under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 61A of the Excise Act, he said.
