Amritsar: The grim reality of spurious liquor continues to haunt Punjab as yet another tragedy unfolded in Majithav on Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least 21 people, predominantly daily wage laborers. Ten others are currently hospitalized, battling for their lives after allegedly consuming illicitly brewed alcohol. This devastating incident at Threawal village has once again brought to the forefront the apparent failure of authorities to learn from past tragedies, as the state has now witnessed over 170 deaths due to spurious liquor since 2020.
The heart-wrenching scenes at Threawal village saw grieving family members mourning the loss of their loved ones, including Karnail Singh, one of the victims. The latest incident mirrors a similar tragedy that occurred just a year ago in Sangrur, where 20 lives were lost to locally manufactured hooch laced with methanol. The recurring use of methanol as a base in these illicit brews underscores the dangerous and unregulated nature of this illegal trade.
In the wake of the Amritsar tragedy, police have arrested ten individuals, including the alleged kingpin behind the operation. However, acknowledging the apparent negligence, the deputy superintendent of police (Majitha), Amolak Singh, and the station house officer of Majitha police station, Avtar Singh, have been suspended.
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Where Investigations Lead
The probe committee, headed by the Dirba sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) with the deputy superintendent of police (DSP), station house officer (SHO), senior medical officer and an excise and taxation officer as its members, had studied the reason behind thriving illegal liquor business in the state.
It had recommended the creation of a separate ‘wing’ in the Punjab Police focused on curbing the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor. As per the report, this wing would be dedicated to tracking bootlegging, especially in the border districts adjoining Haryana state, the report had said.
The repeated loss of lives due to spurious liquor raises serious questions about the effectiveness of measures taken by authorities to curb this menace. Despite the alarming death toll over the past five years, the continued operation of illegal distilleries and the easy availability of such toxic concoctions point towards systemic failures in enforcement and prevention. The latest tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter regulations, proactive policing, and stringent action against those involved in the manufacturing and distribution of spurious liquor to prevent further loss of innocent lives in Punjab.
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