Chandigarh, May 14: The death toll has risen to 21 in Punjab’s Amritsar district after residents of villages near Majitha consumed illicit liquor, which experts say is often brewed using hazardous ingredients like methanol — and in some cases, even lizards and frogs.
Most of the deceased were daily wage workers. Ten others remain hospitalised in critical condition.
Police and excise officials confirmed that the hooch, reportedly sold for as little as ₹50 to ₹70, contained lethal quantities of methanol — a toxic chemical used in industrial products — and other unregulated ingredients. But beyond the chemical danger, what’s shocking is the method of preparation.
“Sometimes, they even add lizards and frogs for that extra kick,” said a former liquor smuggler familiar with the trade.
He said the hooch is often brewed from lahan (raw fermented material), coarse jaggery, yeast from local plants, wild berries, jamun, apricot, and even unfiltered water from ponds and rivers. Organic waste is sometimes added too, he said, “to increase potency cheaply.”
Following the tragedy, the alleged kingpin behind the illicit liquor operation was arrested along with nine others.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Majitha) Amolak Singh and Majitha SHO Avtar Singh were suspended for negligence, along with two excise department officers.
A police probe found that the methanol used was purchased in bulk through online channels — a loophole that investigators say enabled mass production of the toxic concoction.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, already under pressure from the opposition, has faced sharp criticism. Calls for the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have intensified, even as the state assured strict action.
“We will ensure the harshest punishment for those responsible,” a government spokesperson said.
The incident has once again raised questions about unchecked corruption and regulatory failure in Punjab’s alcohol trade, particularly in rural areas where demand for cheap liquor remains high.
Read more: Majitha DSP, SHO Face Action Over Amritsar Hooch Tragedy
