98 die from poison linked to toxic liquor

THE death toll from poisonings linked to toxic liquor in India’s northern state of Punjab rose to 98 yesterday as protests against the illicit alcohol business were reported.

The victims, mostly poor farmers and workers, fell ill after drinking the alcohol across three districts on Wednesday.

The first deaths were reported later that day. The toll soared over the weekend in what has become the country’s worst bootleg alcohol incident this year.

Seventy-five people died in the Tarn Taran district in the past four days, senior official Kulwant Singh said. Twenty-three deaths were confirmed in nearby Amritsar and Batala, state police said.

In a crackdown, police conducted more than 100 raids across villages and arrested 25 people connected with the illicit trade.

Hundreds of litres of liquor have been seized from villages and road-side eateries, police said.

Preliminary investigations by the police show that the liquor contained methyl alcohol or methanol, Singh said.

Methanol, which can cause blindness and death, is a chemical used in antifreeze and wood spirits.

A government official said some of the seized liquid was denatured spirit, which is typically used in the paint and hardware industry.

Deaths from illegally-produced alcohol, known locally as “hooch” or “country liquor”, are a regular occurrence in India, where many cannot afford branded spirits.

Recent coronavirus-related lockdowns have also made it difficult for consumers to enjoy a regular tipple. On Friday, 10 men died in a southern Indian state after consuming sanitiser derived from alcohol, as local liquor shops were closed, police said.

The Aam Aadmi Party held protests in several areas blaming the administration for “negligence” in connection with the deaths.

The Punjab government has so far suspended seven excise officials and six police officials and ordered a judicial inquiry.