Liquor deaths: Ashu seeks resignation of Punjab CM, Excise Minister

Punjab Congress working president and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Thursday held Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Excise Minister Harpal Singh Cheema responsible for the death of three persons, who lost their lives after consuming liquor they had purchased from an authorised vend.

Ashu expressed grief and shock over the deaths. He expressed condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families.

The Congress leader said since the victims had purchased the liquor from an authorised vend, the responsibility of their death lies entirely on the Chief Minister and the Excise Minister. Hence, they must resign.

He said on the one hand, the government was claiming to have finished drugs from the state and on the other, people were dying after consuming spurious liquor.

Ashu pointed out that it was the second hooch tragedy within a span of two weeks only as 30 persons had died after consuming spurious liquor in Majithia in Amritsar district only two weeks ago.

He alleged that the AAP government was protecting and patronising spurious liquor manufacturers.