Devastated by tragedy, kin stare at uncertain future
TARNTARAN: Pain in the stomach, throwing up, and a few hours later death at the local civil hospital on Friday. For Kinder Kaur, 40, and Sona, 16, of Sangha village, 5km from the district headquarters, these are the last memories of Manjit Singh, 45. Manjit was their breadwinner and pulled a rickshaw for a living, despite a disability with his right hand. Kinder and Sona are also polio afflicted.
At last count, Manjit was just one among nearly 90 persons, who have died after consuming spurious liquor in Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts over the past few days.
Manjit had drunk illicit liquor on Thursday night. “As soon as entered home, he threw up and complained of stomach pain. We rushed him to Tarn Taran civil hospital, where he succumbed on Friday morning,” said Kinder. She added, “I and my son were dependent on him. Liquor has destroyed my family, which was already struggling for livelihood.”
Nirvail Singh of Sangha said, “Manjit purchased illicit liquor from Resham Singh’s home. Resham also drank from the same lot and died on Saturday morning. He is survived by his four daughters, wife and mother.”
KILL ME ALSO, SAYS WIFE OF LABOURER
Lakhwinder Singh, 55, a labourer of Kang village, falling under Khadoor Sahib subdivision, has left behind his wife Kirandeep Kaur, 50. The couple had no children. “We had no children, but we were living happily. Now, the liquor has stolen all my happiness. I should also die,” said Kirandeep. She alleged that her husband had purchased illicit liquor from Pal Singh and his brother Meek.
She added, “Pal Singh and his family have been selling illicit liquor for decades. Villagers had approached the police, but no action was taken. Pal and his family have been protected by Congress leaders of the area.”
3-YEAR-OLD REFUSES TO LET GO OF PAPA’S PHOTO
The only breadwinner in his family, Joga Singh, 32, another victim, was a construction labourer. He aspired for a good life and planned to get a washroom constructed in his house. “My husband rarely partook of liquor earlier, except at weddings. On Wednesday evening, the mason, who was working to build the washroom in our house, asked my husband to bring liquor worth Rs. 20. They drank and he died, ruining my life,” said Paramjit Kaur, who has two kids—son, 7, and daughter, 3.
When this correspondent asked her to show photo of her husband, the daughter did not want to let go of the photo of ‘Papa’. “The announcement made by the government to give compensation is not enough, as Rs 2 lakh is small amount”, said Manjit Kaur, sister-in-law of Joga Singh.
FARMER’S WIDOW SEEKS DEATH FOR HOOCH SELLER
Jaswinder Singh, 37, of Muchhal village was a farmer, but the family owned only 3 kanal land. Here too, the sole breadwinner is gone. His wife, Veerpal Kaur, said, “My husband’s death has made my life full of sorrows. My 11-year-old son cannot cultivate. Both are studying yet,” she added.