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Punjab hooch tragedy: BJP and AAP slam state government of laxity

The death toll in the Punjab hooch tragedy rose to 98 with 12 more people reported dead on Sunday after drinking spurious liquor. Attacking on the Captain Amrinder Singh government, BJP and AAP accused the Punjab government of laxity in the recent hooch tragedy.

Punjab hooch tragedy: BJP and AAP slam state government of laxity
Punjab hooch tragedy: BJP and AAP slam state government of laxity

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Published : Aug 2, 2020, 8:38 PM IST

Chandigarh: Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Admi Party have on Sunday slammed the Amarinder Singh government over Punjab hooch tragedy which has claimed 98 lives so far.

Speaking to media persons, AAP MLA Jarnail Singh said that Captain Amrinder Singh is sitting at his farmhouse and relaxing instead of focusing on the state.

Reportedly, the hooch tragedy in Punjab claimed 98 lives as on Sunday as 12 new deaths were reported after drinking spurious liquor.

Punjab hooch tragedy: BJP and AAP slam state government of laxity

The Punjab government has ordered a magisterial probe into the case and Chief Minister Singh on Saturday ordered the suspension of seven excise officials and six police personnel.

Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Delhi and in-charge of Punjab, Jarnail Singh accused Punjab Chief Minister of being insensitive and also said that he failed to eradicate the menace of drugs from the state.

"Families of the deceased are harassed by police and being asked to give false statements related to death. CM during his campaign for assembly polls promised to eradicate drug mafia in 4 weeks but today the condition of the state is worst than it was during the last govt. Excise and Home dept are under CM. ED is accusing Punjab Police of not cooperating. We demand CBI enquiry into this case.", said Jarnail Singh.

AAP also held protests at several places against Punjab government regarding the tragic deaths of people and also called for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incident.

Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Janata Party has also slammed the Singh led government and claimed that police have nexus with illegal liquor mafia.

MoS Industry and Commerce Som Prakash said, "Several people died within 4 days in Punjab after consuming spurious liquor. The production and consumption of illegal liquor are not possible without nexus between police and liquor mafia. The government should take strict action against police officers and politicians involved. The poor people have lost their lives which is highly unfortunate."

Notably, the state government had announced rupees 2 lakh as ex gratia for the family of the deceased. According to the officials, Punjab police have carried down a "massive crackdown" spanning more than 100 raids.

Some of the families of the deceased refused to record their statements. Whereas some held protests at Muchhal village, seeking compensation from the government, the officials had said on Saturday.

Delhi chief minister also accused the Punjab government of laxity in the incident of hooch tragedies saying that none of the cases pertaining to illicit liquor in the last few months have been solved by the local police.

ALSO READ:Death toll in Punjab hooch tragedy rises to 98

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