Hyderabad: At least 15 people died after consuming illicit liquor in the Majitha area of Amritsar, Punjab.
Six others were hospitalised in critical condition. Police said the number of deaths may rise as several are still undergoing treatment.
Within six hours of the incident, police arrested the main distributor and six others involved in the supply. The victims included three each from Bhungali and Marari Kalan villages, and two from Tarival.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims had all consumed liquor from the same shop on Sunday evening. Some of them died by Monday morning. In a few cases, the families conducted cremations without informing police.
Majitha SHO Abtab Singh said investigations have begun to trace the source of the liquor. Distribution kingpin Sahib Singh was arrested from the Rajasani area. Main distributor Prabhjit Singh was also taken into custody.
Four others who bought liquor from the same source were detained. Punjab police have extended their probe into neighbouring states.
