MAJITHA (AMRITSAR), May 13 — At least 12 people have died after consuming suspected spurious liquor in Amritsar’s Majitha area, prompting a swift police crackdown that led to six arrests within seven hours, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The victims include residents from three villages: Bhangali Kalan, Marrari Kalan, and Threawal. Authorities fear the death toll may climb, with several others reported to be in critical condition.
Among the deceased are Major Singh (alias Modu), Paramjit Singh (alias Pamma), Sarbjit Singh (alias Shabba), and Tasveer Singh (alias Sikandar Singh) from Marrari Kalan; Joginder Singh (alias Manna), Karnail Singh (alias Mahant), and Jeeta (alias Siti) from Threawal; and Balbir Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Romanjit Singh (alias Romi) from Bhangali Kalan.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that all victims consumed liquor from a single source on Sunday evening,” said Majitha SHO Aabtaab Singh.
“Some of them died the next morning, and locals cremated the bodies without alerting the police. We received information later in the evening and immediately launched an investigation.”
The main supplier, identified as Prabhjit Singh, was among those arrested. Sahib Singh, believed to be the kingpin of the illicit liquor distribution network, was tracked down and arrested from Rajasansi. Four others allegedly involved in supplying the liquor to local villages were also taken into custody.
Police said efforts are now underway to trace the origin of the alcohol, with investigative teams deployed beyond Punjab’s borders to locate suspected firms behind the supply chain.
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Shakshi Sawhney, along with senior police officials, visited Marrari Kalan village in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“We are taking this incident with utmost seriousness. Every link in the chain will be investigated, and action will be taken swiftly,” said an official accompanying the DC.
The Majitha police have registered a case and are continuing inquiries into the broader network involved in the manufacture and distribution of the illicit liquor.
