Fake Liquor: 15 Dies, Several In Critical Condition In Amritsar
Amritsar, Punjab: At least 14 people have died, and several others have been in critical condition after consuming spurious liquor in Amritsar, Punjab. The fatalities have occurred in five villages — Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Therewal and Talwandi Ghuman.
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney confirmed the death toll, and the police have arrested five people in connection with the incident. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Excise Act.
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Amritsar SSP Maninder Singh said that the police received information around 9.30 pm last night that people were dying after consuming spurious liquor. “We took immediate action and rounded up four people. We arrested the main supplier, Prabhjeet Singh,” the SSP said, India Today quoted.
The arrested persons are: Prabhjit Singh, Kulbir Singh, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh and Ninder Kaur. The main accused, Prabhjit Singh, had reportedly revealed the name of the kingpin supplier, Sahab Singh, during interrogation. Police have said that an investigation into the entire fake liquor network is underway to determine the source and distribution channels of the illicit liquor.
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Police said that they have received strict instructions from the state government to take strong action against suppliers of spurious liquor.
“Raids are underway, and the manufacturers will be rounded up soon. Two FIRs have been registered under stringent sections. The civil administration is also involved, and we are going door to door to identify more people who may have consumed the liquor, in order to prevent further casualties and save lives,” NDTV quoted a police official.
