Daijiworld Media Network – Ludhiana
Ludhiana, May 22: Just days after the devastating Amritsar hooch tragedy that claimed 27 lives, a fresh shock has hit Punjab as three persons reportedly died after consuming suspected poisonous liquor from a vend in Ludhiana city.
The deceased, identified as Debi, Manga, and Rinku all aged between 40 and 45 fell ill on Wednesday night after consuming the liquor. They succumbed soon after, prompting police to take samples from the liquor outlet they had bought the drink from.
Civil Hospital senior medical officer Dr Harpreet Singh said the cause of death remains uncertain pending the viscera report. Meanwhile, police commissioner Swapan Sharma indicated the deaths could be linked to desi hooch. “Samples resembling country liquor have been collected, and we are probing the matter,” he said.
Police registered a case based on the statement of a fourth person who had accompanied the deceased trio.
The incident has sparked strong political reactions. BJP general secretary Anil Sarin slammed the AAP-led Punjab government, accusing it of failing to control the growing menace of toxic liquor and drugs. “What happened to Bhagwant Mann’s ‘War on Drugs’? It has become an empty slogan while Punjabis continue to die,” he said.
Sarin also questioned the lack of arrests or administrative action and criticised AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for campaigning in Ludhiana while the city reels under another tragedy.
Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also lashed out at the government, highlighting the recurrence of such incidents. “This is the second liquor tragedy within a fortnight. Shockingly, the liquor was reportedly purchased from a government-approved vend. What message does that send?” he asked.
Warring further said the spurious liquor manufacturers appear fearless, operating without consequence even after the Amritsar disaster.
Last week, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, demanding a CBI probe into the Amritsar incident. The delegation also sought ED involvement to uncover alleged links between AAP leaders and Punjab’s liquor mafia.
As Punjab stares at yet another tragedy, the focus now shifts to whether the state government will take swift, concrete action or continue to issue hollow reassurances.