Daijiworld Media Network – Ludhiana

Ludhiana, May 23: In a chilling rerun of the recent Amritsar hooch tragedy that claimed 27 lives, three more persons reportedly died after consuming liquor in Ludhiana, sparking renewed concerns over the spread of illicit liquor and the alleged failure of the state administration to contain it.

The incident took place late Wednesday night at Basti Jodhewal in Ludhiana. The deceased, all daily-wage labourers, have been identified as Rinku (40), Debi (27), and Mangoo (32). According to local sources, the trio consumed liquor at a vacant plot near Noorwala Road, after which they lost consciousness and began frothing at the mouth—a classic sign of poisoning. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead.

Speaking to the media, Senior Medical Officer Dr Harpreet Singh stated that the exact cause of death would be established only after the post-mortem examination. Preliminary suspicion points towards suspected spurious liquor consumption.

Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma confirmed that the victims had consumed a desi liquor brand named “Raspberry”. He said, “Samples of the liquor have been sent for laboratory testing, and a case has been registered against the liquor shop owner.”

Adding a layer of complexity to the case, Excise Department sources expressed uncertainty about the liquor’s sole involvement in the deaths. One official said, “No other customers from the same batch have reported any symptoms. It is possible that the victims may have mixed drugs with the liquor. If it were entirely spurious, we would be looking at more casualties.”

The twin tragedies—first in Amritsar and now Ludhiana—have cast a dark shadow over the Punjab government’s flagship anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’. Opposition parties, including the BJP, have seized the opportunity to corner the ruling AAP.

BJP State Spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal launched a scathing attack, saying, “While families are shattered, the Punjab Government is busy in PR stunts. Their so-called war on drugs exists only on paper. On the ground, the drug and liquor mafia continues to flourish freely. Is this the ‘Rangla Punjab’ that Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann promised?”

Local residents expressed anger and fear, stating that despite repeated assurances, the ground reality in many parts of Punjab remains grim. “We fear for our children. Drugs and illegal liquor have turned our neighbourhoods into death traps,” a local shopkeeper told.

As the state awaits lab reports and post-mortem confirmations, public pressure is mounting on the AAP-led government to take swift, visible, and meaningful action.