Punjab liquor deaths: Culprits won’t be spared, says CM; cops seize 600 litres of methanol
While opposition has demanded Mann’s resignation over the 21 deaths, CM alleges patronage of influential politicians in the spurious liquor nexus
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday (May 13) said his government will not spare anyone involved in the sale of spurious liquor, which led to the death of 21 people here, and called these deaths "murders".
At least 21 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Majitha in Punjab's Amritsar district. Ten people have been hospitalised with complications caused by hooch, said officials.
Police seize 600 litres of methanol
Meanwhile, Punjab Police and excise officials on Tuesday seized 600 litres of methanol suspected to be connected to the spurious liquor tragedy.
Methanol is a light, colourless organic chemical compound that is poisonous when ingested and is illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, which is the normal consumable alcohol.
Also read: Punjab: 21 killed after drinking spurious liquor in Amritsar
The seized methanol is suspected to have direct links to the spurious liquor tragedy in Amritsar, said Senior Superintendent of Police (Patiala) Varun Sharma.
The seizure was made from a truck near the Tepla police post on the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Shambhu-Banur Road, he said.
Mann meets bereaved families
The deaths have sparked a political slugfest in the northern state with the Opposition holding the Mann government responsible for it and demanding the chief minister’s resignation.
The deaths were reported in Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Talwandi Khumman, Karnala, Bhangwan and Therewal villages on Monday night, said officials.
Mann visited Majitha and expressed condolences to the victim's families.
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He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the family of each deceased and said that the state government will bear the entire expense of education of the children of the victims.
Mann also said that every possible help in terms of jobs and others will also be extended to these families.
Not mere deaths but murders: CM
Mann said these deaths are not merely accidents but they are "murders", which have been caused due to the greed of certain individuals, who are involved in this crime. He said this is a clear "murder" and the state government will not allow the culprits to escape the "severest of severe" punishment.
The chief minister said this crime could not have been done without political patronage by the powerful politicians, adding that this angle is being probed.
Ten persons, including the alleged kingpin, have been arrested, he said, adding that police also identified the forward and backward linkages of the nexus involved in this barbaric crime.
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"Let me tell one thing very clearly, my government is firmly committed to ensure justice to the hapless families by ensuring exemplary punishment to the accused," added Mann.
The connections of this nexus have been traced up to Delhi and every person involved in this crime will be put behind the bars by the state government, said Mann.
How methanol consignment was caught
Following the tragic incident in Amritsar, the deputy inspector general of police (Border Range) shared intelligence about a suspected consignment of methanol being transported from Delhi to Punjab.
Acting swiftly, the police, in collaboration with the excise department, intercepted the truck near Tepla and seized three drums containing 600 litres of methanol, concealed among other goods.
The truck driver has been arrested, and a detailed investigation is underway, Sharma said.
Initial investigations suggest the consignment was intended for use in the production of spurious liquor, he said.
"Had this consignment reached its destination, it could have led to the loss of hundreds of innocent lives," he added.
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21 dead, 10 arrested
At least 21 people, mostly daily-wage labourers, died and 10 were hospitalised after allegedly drinking spurious liquor in Majitha in Punjab's Amritsar district, officials said on Tuesday.
Ten people, including the alleged kingpin, were arrested while Deputy Superintendent of Police (Majitha) Amolak Singh and Majitha SHO Avtar Singh were suspended for negligence, the police said.
The deaths were reported in the Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Talwandi Khumman, Karnala, Bhangwan and the Therewal villages.
(With inputs from agencies)