Amritsar’s Silent Killer: 16 Lives Lost to Toxic Liquor, Police Bust Deadly Smuggling Ring

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): The recent incident of toxic alcohol consumption in Amritsar, which led to the death of around 16 people, has raised serious concerns in Punjab. The deaths were attributed to the consumption of illegally produced and adulterated alcohol, which is a recurring problem in many parts of India. In the aftermath, the Punjab Police have swung into action to prevent further such incidents and to dismantle the network responsible for producing and distributing fake alcohol.

As part of the crackdown, the Punjab Police, acting on intelligence, seized nearly 600 liters of methanol in Patiala. Methanol is a highly toxic substance often used in the illicit alcohol trade to increase the volume of alcohol at a low cost. In this case, the methanol was being transported illegally from Delhi to Punjab in a truck, and it was intended to be mixed with other substances to create counterfeit liquor. The seized methanol is crucial evidence, and the police believe that it could have been used in producing fake alcohol responsible for several deaths.

In response to this growing concern, the police have intensified operations across the state. Special teams have been dispatched to Delhi to investigate the source of the methanol and trace the supply chain of counterfeit alcohol. The authorities are focusing on sensitive areas where fake alcohol production and sale are prevalent, attempting to root out illegal operations.

The involvement of senior officials in the investigation signals the gravity of the situation. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who visited Amritsar after the toxic alcohol deaths, stated that a thorough and deep investigation is underway. He also mentioned that police teams have been sent to Delhi, underlining the seriousness of the matter.

To ensure the issue is dealt with comprehensively, Patiala's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Varun Sharma is scheduled to hold a press conference at 5 PM today. The press conference will take place in the Banur area, where he is expected to provide detailed information about the investigation and the actions being taken against the perpetrators of the illegal alcohol trade.

Meanwhile, police teams are also conducting raids and checks in areas known for the illegal production and distribution of counterfeit liquor. These measures are part of the state government’s broader initiative to tackle the problem of fake alcohol, which continues to pose a significant health and safety risk to residents in Punjab and other parts of India.

The situation highlights the dangers of unregulated and illicit alcohol production, as well as the urgent need for tighter controls and stronger enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future. The ongoing investigation is expected to lead to further arrests and crackdowns on the illegal alcohol trade across the state.