At least 14 people have lost their lives and six others remain hospitalized after consuming toxic homemade liquor in northern India’s Punjab state, according to police authorities on Tuesday. The tragic incident unfolded across several villages near Amritsar, a major city in the region, once again drawing attention to the widespread problem of illicit alcohol in rural India.
Seven Arrested in Connection with the Tragedy
Senior police official Maninder Singh confirmed the deaths and revealed that authorities have arrested seven individuals suspected of distributing the contaminated liquor. According to Singh, the suspects allegedly supplied the toxic alcohol to residents in five villages situated roughly 19 kilometers (12 miles) from Amritsar.
Police have since initiated an extensive crackdown to dismantle the broader network behind the spurious liquor supply. “We are taking immediate action to break this illegal supply chain. Our efforts are aimed at preventing further loss of life and making sure this network is dismantled completely,” Singh stated.
The arrested individuals are reportedly facing charges related to the illegal production and distribution of unsafe alcohol, though details on their identities and the extent of their operations remain under investigation.
Medical Teams Deployed to Affected Villages
In a swift response to the crisis, Sakshi Sawhney, a senior administrative officer in Amritsar, announced that the local government has dispatched medical teams to the affected villages. Their objective is to screen residents who may have consumed the toxic brew and transport those displaying symptoms to hospitals for immediate treatment.
“Our priority is to save lives. Medical staff are on the ground monitoring people who may have been exposed. Anyone showing signs of poisoning is being shifted to the hospital to avoid further fatalities,” Sawhney explained.
So far, six individuals remain hospitalized under close observation, though authorities fear the death toll could rise if more victims delay seeking treatment.
Authorities Yet to Reveal Contaminant
While investigations are underway, officials have not disclosed the specific substances believed to have caused the fatalities. Toxic liquor incidents in India often involve the use of industrial alcohol or chemicals like methanol, which can be deadly when ingested. These are commonly mixed with local brews to increase their potency and reduce production costs, making them more affordable but significantly more dangerous.
Forensic analysis of the seized liquor samples is currently being conducted, and police are awaiting toxicology reports before confirming the cause of poisoning.
A Recurring Threat in Rural India
Deaths from toxic alcohol are tragically common in India, especially in impoverished and rural areas where regulatory oversight is limited and poverty drives demand for cheaper alternatives to commercially produced spirits. Illicit alcohol, often referred to as “hooch,” is sold at low prices and frequently made without regard to safety standards.
According to health and safety analysts, such tragedies are the result of a toxic mix of poverty, lack of awareness, weak law enforcement, and the proliferation of underground alcohol production networks. Many of these brews are concocted in makeshift distilleries under unhygienic conditions, with little or no quality control.
The World Health Organization and local public health advocates have consistently warned about the dangers posed by unregulated alcohol production, yet incidents persist with alarming frequency.
Previous Incidents Paint a Grim Pattern
This latest tragedy echoes numerous similar cases across India. In 2022, over 30 people died in Bihar state after consuming spurious liquor. In 2020, Punjab itself witnessed another major hooch tragedy when more than 100 people died in a single wave of toxic alcohol poisoning. Despite periodic crackdowns and public outrage, the underground trade in illicit alcohol continues to thrive, fueled by high demand and weak deterrents.
Each major incident often prompts temporary enforcement action, but systemic reforms and long-term prevention measures have remained elusive. Experts argue that unless the government takes comprehensive steps to regulate alcohol production and expand access to safe, affordable beverages, preventable deaths will continue.
Government Faces Mounting Pressure
Following the Amritsar incident, there has been growing pressure on Punjab’s state government to enforce stricter regulations and intensify surveillance of rural alcohol production. Human rights groups and civil society organizations are calling for a sustained campaign to dismantle illegal distilleries and prosecute those responsible for endangering public health.
In response, the state police have pledged to conduct coordinated raids and expand their intelligence network to locate hidden distillation centers. Public awareness campaigns may also be rolled out to educate residents on the dangers of consuming unverified liquor.
Conclusion: A Public Health Crisis Demanding Urgent Reform
The deaths of 14 people in Amritsar serve as yet another grim reminder of the public health crisis posed by toxic liquor in India. As families mourn their loved ones, the incident underscores the urgent need for a more robust policy response to tackle the illicit alcohol trade and protect vulnerable communities.
Until sustainable and systemic reforms are implemented, rural India will remain at the mercy of bootleggers and toxic brews—an enduring crisis with devastating human cost.
