Top News

Devastating Incident in Amritsar

In a tragic event in the Majitha region of Amritsar district, officials reported that at least 15 individuals have died after consuming toxic liquor. The victims, primarily laborers from local brick kilns, hailed from the villages of Bhangali, Marari Kalan Therwal, and Patalpuri.

Maninder Singh, the Superintendent of Police for Amritsar Rural, confirmed the arrest of Prabhjit Singh, identified as the key figure behind the distribution of the illicit liquor.

Authorities have filed a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 105 of the BNS and Section 61-A of the Excise Act.

Additional arrests include Kulbir Singh, known as Jaggu, who is Prabhjit Singh's brother, along with Sahib Singh, alias Sarai, Gurjant Singh, and Ninder Kaur, the spouse of Jeeta.

According to the Investigation Police Officer, initial findings suggest that all victims consumed liquor from the same source on Sunday evening. Some succumbed to their condition by Monday, and locals cremated them without notifying the authorities. The police were alerted about the fatalities late Monday evening, prompting an investigation.

A government spokesperson indicated that efforts are underway to investigate the entire network involved in the distribution of spurious liquor.

Earlier this year, 24 individuals lost their lives in Sangrur due to similar circumstances, and in 2020, over 100 fatalities were reported across Punjab in one of the most severe illicit liquor incidents.

As the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign against drug abuse marked its 72nd day, Punjab Police reported filing 6,280 FIRs and apprehending 10,444 drug traffickers.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed police and administrative officials to strive for a drug-free Punjab.

Under the guidance of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the Punjab Police have been executing various operations, including cordon and search missions, nighttime patrols, and raids on known drug hotspots.

Special DGP for Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, overseeing these operations, announced on Monday that police have seized significant quantities of drugs, including 398 kg of heroin, 186 kg of opium, 117 quintals of poppy husk, 8 kg of charas, 135 kg of ganja, 2.5 kg of ICE, 1.2 kg of cocaine, 23.57 lakh intoxicating pills/tablets, and Rs 8.58 crore in drug-related cash.