At least 14 people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in five villages in Punjab's Amritsar district, leading to the arrest of five accused.
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney confirmed the death of 14 people, adding that police are on the spot to assess the situation
At least 14 people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in five villages in Punjab's Amritsar district, leading to the arrest of five accused.
Citing police PTI and ANI reported that six people have been hospitalised with complications caused by hooch.
The deaths have occurred in five villages – Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Therewal and Talwandi Ghuman.
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney confirmed the death of 14 people, adding that police are on the spot to assess the situation.
The police said that the alleged mastermind of the racket, Prabhjit Singh, has been arrested along with four others. The police identified the other four accused as Kulbir Singh, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh, and Ninder Kaur.
A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Excise Act, said the officials.
According to reports, in March 2024, 24 people died in Sangrur due to spurious liquor.
In 2020, over 100 people died across Punjab in one of the deadliest illicit liquor tragedies linked to a widespread bootlegging nexus.