4 more die in Punjab hooch tragedy; toll now 27

AMRITSAR: The Majitha spurious liquor tragedy toll rose to 27 on Thursday, with four more victims — Chanan Singh (42), Dilbag Singh (64), Sarwan Singh (47) and Rajesh (45) — breathing their last.While Chanan and Dilbag are from Bhangwan village, Sarwan is from Bhangali Kalan village and Rajesh from Galowali Kullian. A source said six more people who had accidentally consumed spurious liquor made from methanol, or methyl alcohol, on Tuesday are undergoing treatment in hospital.The news of the four deaths came on a day when Punjab minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal distributed cheques of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of 22 people who have died in the tragedy. Dhaliwal added the govt was providing free medical treatment to those hospitalised and would grant them financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each.The tragedy has affected eight villages falling close to Majitha town in Amritsar district. In all, five people from Marari Kalan village have died in the tragedy, two from Patalpuri, three from Threawal, seven from Bhangali Kalan, one from Talwandi Khumma, two from Karnala, six from Bhangwan, and one from Galowali Kullian. Most of the victims were daily-wage labourers or small-scale workers.Amritsar senior superintendent of police (rural) said they had registered a case against 18 persons, of which 16 had been arrested, including the kingpin of the hooch racket. Sources said illicit liquor manufacturers used to purchase methanol by claiming that they needed to make paint material and soap, but they would eventually make spurious liquor.The minister assured justice and action against all culprits responsible for the tragedy. "No amount of money can compensate for the loss of a family's breadwinner, but it is the govt's responsibility to do whatever is possible to support the surviving members. We will take strict action against all those involved, including confiscation of their properties," he said.Even as the deaths took place due to consumption of spurious liquor, state govt initiative Nasha Mukti Morcha's Majha coordinator Sonia Mann held a meeting on Thursday and announced anti-drug awareness marches in the districts of Majha region from May 16. "These marches will cover every village and city over the next 50 days," she said.