‘Spurious liquor’ claims 1 more life in Tarn Taran

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 5

Another person died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor at Manochahal village in Tarn Taran on Friday. This was stated by Virsa Singh Valtoha, district president of the Shiromani Akali Dal Badal in a statement here on Saturday.

He said the deceased was identified as Sheetal Singh who had returned from Dubai and was to go back.

Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police Dhruman Nimbale said the medical examination of the victim was conducted after constituting a medical board. He said the viscera would be sent to a forensic lab to ascertain the exact cause of his death. He said senior police officials visited the spot for a preliminary probe while further investigation was underway.

A police official privy to investigation said Sheetal used to work as a mason and he, along with his two friends, was celebrating the purchase of a new bike. He said it was Sheetal who brought the liquor. He said while his friends were alright, his health condition deteriorated leading to his death. He said there were no symptoms which suggested that he died of consuming spurious liquor.

Following the incident, Valtoha said the Punjab Government had failed to check bootlegging. He alleged that Congress leaders were hand in glove with bootleggers due to which the illegal trade was flourishing. This despite the fact that the hooch tragedy had recently claimed 125 lives in Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Batala. Later, three more persons had lost their lives at Pandori Golan village due to the same reason.

He demanded a CBI probe into the deaths due to the consumption of hooch.