Punjab hooch tragedy: CM meets families of victims; two more accused arrested

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday visited Gujran village in Sangrur district to meet the families of those who died due to suspected consumption of spurious liquor.

“An FIR under Section 302 (of the IPC) has been registered against 10 accused. Killing somebody by giving poison is a murder,” the Chief Minister said, adding that that all those involved in selling spurious liquor will be nabbed.

Under fire

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has been under fire from the Opposition over the hooch tragedy, which claimed 21 lives in his home district Sangrur.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Saturday alleged that the tragedy was the result of a “liquor scam” that has been going on in the State under the patronage of the AAP government.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP have also sought the resignation of Excise Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the incident. Mr. Cheema also visited Sangrur on Sunday to meet the families of the victims. “We stand by these families. Whatever support they require, we will provide,” he said.

10 people held so far

The police, meanwhile, arretsed two more people in connection with the hooch tragedy that claimed more than 20 lives since March 20. With Sunday’s arrest, a total of 10 people have been held so far, Deputy Inspector General (Patiala Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar said.

Eleven people are undergoing treatment at Patiala's Rajindra Hospital and six at the Civil Hospital in Sangrur after the suspected consumption of spurious liquor, officials said.

21 deaths due to alleged consumption of spurious liquor recorded in Mann’s home district Sangrur since March 20