publive-image

The Punjab hooch tragedy - in which 86 people lost their lives - is the consequence of the Congress-led government's patronage to its leaders, ministers and MLAs for allegedly carrying out illegal liquor trade, Shiromani Akali Dal's Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged on Saturday, demanding Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's resignation.

The death toll in the Punjab spurious liquor tragedy rose to 86 on Sunday as 25 more casualties were reported from the state's Tarn Taran district, officials said.

A senior police official said families of several victims were not coming forward to record their statements but they persuaded them to do so.

“A majority of the families were not coming forward and did not want any action. Some of them are not even getting the post-mortem done," said a police official.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday (1 August) ordered the suspension of, and inquiry against, seven Excise and Taxation Officers and Inspectors, along with two DSPs and four SHOs of Punjab Police, in connection with the hooch tragedy.

A total of 25 arrests have been made in the case. A mafia mastermind, a woman kingpin, a transport owner, a wanted criminal and owners/managers of various dhabas from where the illicit liquor was being supplied are among the arrested accused, according to Punjab Police DGP Dinkar Gupta.

Punjab government is also introducing Urine tests plan for all residents in every 6 months in order to keep a track of drug intake in the state which has on an average is more than all states.