Amritsar (Punjab) [India], May 13 (HBTV): A total of six people, including the kingpin, have been arrested in connection with the spurious liquor tragedy in Majitha, Amritsar, which claimed the lives of 14 people and left six others hospitalised, police officials said on Tuesday.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Satinder Singh said, ‘This is an unfortunate incident. Six people, including the kingpin and locals, have been arrested.’

Senior Superintendent of Police (Amritsar Rural) Maninder Singh said that four local suppliers were arrested on Monday. During interrogation, they revealed the name of Prabhjeet Singh, who had procured methanol and supplied the liquor. Prabhjeet in turn named Sahib Singh as the main supplier of the methanol.

‘Four local suppliers arrested yesterday revealed the name of a liquor supplier named Prabhjeet. This man told us about the kingpin, Sahib Singh, who supplies methanol. He obtained 50 litres of methanol, which was diluted to make 120 litres. This was then sold to the four local suppliers. We have invoked stringent sections of the law against the six arrested persons. FIR has been registered under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),’ SSP Singh told ANI.

The tragedy unfolded in five villages under the Majitha block. Civil and police officials are continuing door-to-door checks to identify and provide treatment to those who may have consumed the contaminated liquor, aiming to prevent further casualties.

Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar (Majitha) Sakshi Sawhney said, ‘An unfortunate tragedy has happened in Majitha. We received reports from five villages that those who consumed liquor yesterday were in critical condition. We rushed our medical teams, who are still going door-to-door.’

An FIR has also been registered under Section 61A of the Excise Act in addition to the BNS provisions. (ANI)