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International desk : At least 21 people have died in India’s Punjab state after consuming toxic liquor, with at least 10 others hospitalized. Punjab Police have arrested nine individuals suspected of involvement in the sale of the illicit liquor. The incident occurred in several villages of Amritsar district on Monday morning.
According to police, smugglers produce these illicit liquors, often mixed with methanol, to evade taxes and sell them cheaply for profit. Methanol can cause blindness, liver damage, or death. Locals reported that people fell ill after consuming the methanol-laced liquor.
In a social media post, Punjab Police stated that a detailed investigation is underway to identify and bring those involved to justice. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured that strict punishment would be ensured for the culprits.
India witnesses hundreds of deaths annually due to spurious liquor. Last year, 53 people died in Tamil Nadu, and in 2022, over 30 fatalities were reported in Bihar due to similar incidents.
AI/MR
