Two more succumb to killer brew, DGP sets up 2 SITS
AMRITSAR : Two more persons died due to consumption of spurious liquor in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts on Wednesday, taking the toll in Punjab’s worst hooch tragedy to 113.
Of the total deaths, 84 have been reported in the Tarn Taran district alone.
“Thirteen people from the district are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals. Six of them have been referred to Amritsar for eye treatment and one is said to be critical,” Tarn Taran deputy commissioner Kulwant Singh said.
Baba Bakala sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Sumit Mudh said, “Of a total of 15 deaths in the Amritsar district, 10 a re from Muchhal village, two each from Jandiala town and Khalchian village and one is
from Tangra village.”
IN A FIRST, SP-RANK OFFICERS MADE IOS
Director general of police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta on Wednesday ordered constitution of two special investigation teams (SITS) to expedite probes into all FIRS registered in the hooch tragedy.
ADGP (law and order) Ishwar Singh will supervise the SIT probes. The police have registered five FIRS — 3 in Tarn Taran, 1 each in Amritsar and Batala — in the case.
DGP Gupta said, “For the first time, Sp-rank officers have been appointed investigating officers (IOS) in the cases to ensure conviction of the offenders. The investigating officers have been directed to ensure thorough probe. They will also be responsible for filing final reports in court.”
Ferozepur range DIG Hardial Singh Mann will head the SIT for investigating FIRS registered in Tarn Taran while Amritsar border range IG Surinder Pal Singh Parmar will lead the SIT looking into the FIRS registered in Amritsar and Batala.
The other members of the Taran Taran SIT are SSP Dhruman Nimbale and SP (investigation) Jagjit Singh Walia, who has been designated as the investigating officer.
The members of the second SIT are Amritsar SSP (rural) Dhruv Dahiya, SP (investigation) Gaurav Toora, Batala SSP Rachpal Singh and SP (investigation) Tejbir Singh Batala.
The SITS have been authorised to get the support of any officer, wing, unit of the Punjab Police or any state government department besides specialised institutions or experts for ensuring proper recording of evidence to make a foolproof case against the guilty.