5 more deaths, toll reaches 117

PK Jaiswar & Gurbaxpuri

Tribune News Service

Amritsar/Tarn Taran, Aug 3

With five more deaths in Tarn Taran and Amritsar in the past 24 hours due to the consumption of spurious liquor, the toll has reached 117 in the region.

Three fresh deaths were reported in Tarn Taran, while two died in Jandiala Guru in Amritsar. Till now, Tarn Taran has reported 91 deaths while Amritsar and Batala have witnessed 14 and 12 casualties, respectively. Karaj Singh, a resident of Jandiala Guru, was admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital last evening after his health deteriorated. The doctors declared him dead in the early hours today.

Rajinder Singh of Verowal Road in Jandiala Guru, died after consuming illicit liquor. Yesterday, he was rushed to a Manawala hospital after his health deteriorated, but he could not be saved. His family members did not inform the authorities and cremated his mortal remains today. They said he had lost his vision after consuming liquor on Saturday.

In Tarn Taran, the deceased were identified as Kulwant Singh of Muradpur Abadi, Harjinder Singh of Miglani village and Gurmit Singh of Kaler village.

Following the tragedy that led to an unprecedented number of deaths, many people involved in the trade have gone underground. The residents alleged that there was a nexus behind bootlegging in Tarn Taran.

Ram Singh (55), a resident of Kalla village, who was recuperating at the Tarn Taran Civil Hospital, said he used to procure illicit liquor from Kuldeep Singh of the village while many women were also involved in selling spurious liquor. He said due to curfew and lockdown, a number of persons had started the illegal trade.

Kuldeep Singh and Sukhdev Singh of Kakka Kandiala, both victims of the tragedy, said those who indulged in selling illicit liquor in their village had absconded. Another resident claimed though the liquor trade had been flourishing for the past many years, the police had failed to curb the menace due to political patronage to bootleggers.

Jagjit Singh Walia, SP (D), Tarn Taran, said the statements of the victims were being recorded and those indulging in the illegal trade would be taken to task.

Meanwhile, launching a crackdown on bootleggers, the Amritsar rural police busted three illegal distilleries operating in Bhangwa village under the Majitha police station, Chak Mishri Khan village under the Lopoke police station and Bhindi Saida village under the Bhindi Saida police station. The rural police also nabbed 13 bootleggers while 44 others were booked. Similarly, the Tarn Taran police booked 40 bootleggers and arrested 13 persons.