A devastating tragedy has struck villages in the Majitha block of Punjab’s Amritsar district, where at least 15 people have lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor. The incident, which surfaced on Monday, has left nearly 10 others critically ill and battling for their lives at Amritsar Civil Hospital. With more victims in precarious condition and disturbing details continuing to emerge, authorities fear the death toll could rise in the coming days.

The affected villages — Bhangali Kalan, Thariewal, Sangha, and Marari Kalan — are reeling from the aftershocks of what appears to be one of the most severe hooch tragedies the region has seen since the infamous 2020 incident that claimed over 130 lives across Majha districts.

A Single Source of Illicit Liquor

Preliminary investigations reveal that all victims had consumed illicit liquor purchased from a common supplier on Sunday evening. While some of the affected individuals reportedly fell ill and died by early Monday morning, several of the deaths were not immediately reported to the authorities. Instead, grieving families, perhaps unaware of the broader danger or fearful of legal consequences, proceeded to cremate the deceased quietly. According to police sources, some villagers initially attributed the deaths to natural causes, such as heart attacks.

Majitha Station House Officer (SHO) Aabtaab Singh confirmed that law enforcement was informed about the fatalities only later on Monday. “We received credible information about a sudden spike in deaths in these villages. Upon further inquiry, we discovered that multiple victims had purchased liquor from the same source. What’s more alarming is that some deaths were hidden, and locals gave misleading causes,” he said.

Government Steps In, Arrests Made

Reacting swiftly to the tragedy, the Punjab government has launched a multi-agency probe into the source and distribution chain of the toxic alcohol. A government spokesperson confirmed that two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered so far. The key accused — identified as Prabhjit Singh and Sahib Singh — were arrested in Rajasansi, a nearby area believed to be a distribution node for the illicit brew.

According to the police, four additional suspects have been arrested for acting as intermediaries who procured the hooch from the main suppliers and distributed it across the affected villages. Authorities are now widening the scope of the investigation to other states as well, aiming to trace the origins of the raw materials and networks involved in manufacturing and transporting the illegal liquor.

“We are coordinating with law enforcement units across state borders to track down the suppliers and manufacturers involved in this deadly trade,” said the spokesperson. “The government will ensure that those responsible for this heinous crime face the harshest punishment under the law.”

Ground Zero: Hospital and Village Visits

Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney visited the Amritsar Civil Hospital to assess the condition of those hospitalized. She confirmed the current death toll at 15 and noted that some of the victims remain in extremely critical condition. The district administration has also initiated a ground-level survey in the impacted villages to identify more potential victims and prevent further loss of life.

Doctors treating the patients reported that many of them exhibited symptoms typical of methanol poisoning — including vomiting, blurred vision, respiratory distress, and unconsciousness. In severe cases, methanol poisoning can cause irreversible organ damage and death, especially when consumed in significant quantities.

Echoes of 2020: A Grim Reminder

This latest incident draws uncomfortable parallels with the catastrophic hooch tragedy of 2020, when over 130 people died after consuming toxic liquor in the Majha region — particularly in the districts of Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Amritsar. That episode exposed glaring loopholes in Punjab’s enforcement mechanisms, leading to widespread criticism of the excise department and law enforcement agencies.

Of the total fatalities in 2020, Tarn Taran alone accounted for nearly 80 deaths, with several others losing their eyesight permanently due to the consumption of methanol-laced alcohol. Following that disaster, the Punjab government had promised tighter controls over the liquor trade, crackdowns on illegal distilleries, and reforms in the Excise Department. However, with the recurrence of a similar tragedy in 2025, questions are once again being raised about the implementation of those promises and the overall effectiveness of deterrence.

Political Reactions and Public Outcry

As news of the Amritsar tragedy spread, political leaders and activists expressed grief and outrage over the recurring menace of illicit liquor in Punjab. Critics argue that the state’s porous borders, combined with poor surveillance of rural alcohol consumption, have made it easy for bootleggers to flourish. Others have pointed out the deeper socio-economic issues at play — including poverty, addiction, and lack of awareness — that perpetuate the demand for cheap, unregulated alcohol.

Local residents, too, are demanding accountability. Many believe that such tragedies could be prevented with stricter vigilance, more public education about the dangers of spurious liquor, and harsher punishment for those involved in its manufacture and sale.

Next Steps: Inquiry and Prevention

In response to the public outrage, the Punjab government has announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to look into the root causes of the tragedy and submit its report within a week. Officials say this will include a review of excise records, potential lapses by local authorities, and the role of any illegal distilleries in the area.

The Health Department is also launching emergency awareness campaigns in vulnerable rural areas, urging citizens to report suspicious alcohol sales and to avoid unlabelled or cheap liquor. Additionally, mobile medical teams have been dispatched to the Majitha block and surrounding regions to conduct check-ups and administer treatment to individuals who may have consumed the illicit alcohol but are yet to show symptoms.