Amritsar hooch tragedy: 21 Lives Lost Due to Spurious Liquor Consumption, CM Announces Compensation

Amritsar hooch tragedy: In a shocking incident that has left the Majitha area in Amritsar reeling, 21 lives have been tragically lost after the consumption of spurious liquor, while 10 others remain in critical condition. The victims, mostly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, were allegedly sold toxic liquor by local illicit sellers in several villages, raising questions about the involvement of authorities in such an illegal operation.

The tragedy unfolded late last evening in seven villages of the Majitha region, where 31 people were affected by consuming the counterfeit alcohol. Of these, 21 succumbed to the effects, while 10 are still under intensive medical care at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar.

The victims, primarily farm labourers and landless farmers who couldn’t afford liquor from authorized shops, had been purchasing small pouches of liquor at prices as low as Rs 30 for 150 ml and Rs 50 for 250 ml from local sellers like Sahib Singh and Gurjant Singh. These individuals reportedly consumed the toxic liquor, only to experience extreme discomfort, followed by severe health complications, ultimately leading to their deaths.

Victims of Spurious Liquor Tragedy in Amritsar

Name	Age	Village	Occupation/Notes
Major Singh	45	Marari Kalan
Paramjit Singh	60	Marari Kalan
Tasveer Singh	37	Marari Kalan
Sukhwinder Singh Nikku	45	Marari Kalan	Bus driver; died at home after uneasiness
Sarabjeet Singh	38	Marari Kalan	Grandfather now worried for 5 unmarried granddaughters
Iqbal Singh	45	Bhangali Kalan
Ramandeep Singh	38	Bhangali Kalan
Robanjit Singh	38	Bhangali Kalan
Balbir Singh	55	Bhangali Kalan
Raja	32	Bhangali Kalan
Joginder Singh	70	Bhangali Kalan
Karnail Singh	34	Threwal	Brick loader & tractor driver; sole breadwinner
Ajit Singh	80	Threwal
Joginder Singh	39	Threwal
Romy	38	Patalpuri
Ganju Ram	36	Patalpuri
Kaka	26	Karnala
Gagan	35	Karnala
Mukhtar Singh	62	Bhangwan
Satpal Singh	55	Bhangwan
Amarpal Singh	35	Talwandi Khumman

Among the deceased is Karnail Singh, a 34-year-old man from Threwal village who worked tirelessly as a brick loader and tractor driver, earning just Rs 350 a day to support his family. His death has devastated his family, including his physically challenged father, wife, and children. Karnail’s friend, Sukha, shared how Karnail had been consuming the illicit alcohol for years, unable to afford legitimate liquor, and tragically, it was this very choice that cost him his life.

Another victim, Sukhwinder Singh Nikku, 45, a bus driver, complained of pain and unease after consuming the spurious liquor and passed away the following night. His family, too, is now left grappling with an uncertain future, including his two sons, one of whom is a heroin addict and the other a daily wage worker swindled by a fraudulent travel agent.

The death of these men has left families in utter despair. Mahinder Singh, the father of deceased Sarabjeet Singh from Marari Kalan, expressed his anguish, saying, “This death has ruined our entire family. Who will take care of my granddaughters? How will I arrange their marriages?”

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Response and Compensation

In response to this horrific incident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the affected villages to meet with the grieving families. He condemned the illegal liquor trade and stated that such operations could not have been carried out without the complicity of local authorities, including the police and bureaucrats. The CM assured that an investigation into the involvement of officials is underway.

Furthermore, CM Mann announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and promised to bear the full education expenses of the victims’ children. He also pledged to provide job assistance and support to the affected families.

Political Accountability and Opposition Outrage

The tragedy has sparked political outrage. Leader of the Opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, demanded accountability from the CM, stating that the tragedy could not have occurred without political and bureaucratic support. He added, “If there is complicity, accountability starts with the CM.”

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia also called for the resignation of Excise Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, citing his department’s failure to curb the illegal liquor trade.

This devastating incident has thrown a spotlight on the dangerous world of illicit alcohol trade in Punjab, which continues to thrive in the absence of stringent enforcement and oversight. As investigations unfold, the need for accountability, stronger regulation, and reform in the liquor industry has never been more urgent.

The state’s commitment to compensating the victims’ families is a step in the right direction, but the real challenge lies in eradicating this menace once and for all and ensuring that no more lives are lost to this toxic trade.