NEW DELHI, May 17 (Xinhua) — The death toll in spurious liquor consumption in the northern Indian state of Punjab has risen to 27, officials said Saturday.
The deaths took place in the Majitha area of Amritsar, the Sikh holy city in Punjab.
The incident came to light on early Monday, hours after some people who had purchased the liquor died and others were hospitalized after showing signs of nausea and vomiting.
“The overall death toll in the Amritsar hooch tragedy has reached 27,” a police official said.
According to officials, residents from seven villages in the Majitha area were affected.
Police said the accused had procured the methanol online and then diluted it before giving it to the distributors, who later sold the tainted drink in packets.
Around 20 people, including the kingpin, have been arrested in connection with the case.
The local government suspended four officers — two from the police and two from the excise department — for dereliction of duty and initiated departmental inquiries against them.
The local government of Punjab has announced 1 million Indian rupees (11,682 U.S. dollars) in compensation to the kin of each deceased.
