AMRITSAR: The death toll in the hooch tragedy that struck several villages in the Majiths subdivision of Amritsar district rose to 27 in Thursday, as four more people who had consumed spurious liquior succumbed to the effects while undergoing treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, said officials.
According to a state government spokesperson, the victims were admitted to the hospital, which is part of Government Medical Colege, following the consumption of toxic liquior May 13. While six individuals have since been discharged afterrecovering, four others--identified as Chanan Singh and Dilbag Singh from Bhagwan village, Sarwan Singh from Bhangali Kalan, and Rajesh from Galowali Kalan--could not be saved.
While 21 people died on Tuesday, two succumbed the next day. Cbinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal distributed cheques for RS 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased, as announced by Bhagwant Mann. Dhaliwal also confirmed that the government would provide Rs 2 lakh and free medical tretament to those recovering.
So far, 16 people have been arrested in connection with the case, including suspects from Delhi and Ludhiana. A total of 18 people have been named in FIRs registered at Majitha and Kathunangal police station in Amritsar rural under sections 105(culable homicide not amounting to murder) and 103(murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita(BNS) and relevant sections of the Excise Act and the SC/ST Act.
The victims of were primarily daily-wage workers from villages including Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Talwandi Khumman, Karnala, Bhagwan, and Threawal.