Lucknow: Claiming that about 100 lives had been lost due to the recent hooch tragedy in Punjab, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Monday urged the state government to immediately put a stop on trade in illicit liquor.
Extended condolences to the families of the deceased, Mayawati tweeted: "In Punjab, around 100 people have died so far after consuming illicit liquor. This is very sad and I offer my condolences to the families of the deceased. The Congress government of Punjab should immediately put a stop on the black marketing of illicit liquor business in the state, otherwise, more lives may be lost, this is the advise of the BSP." (translated from Hindi).
Notably, the state government had announced Rs 2 lakh as ex gratia for the family of the deceased.
On Saturday, the Punjab government has ordered a magisterial probe into the case and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered the suspension of seven excise officials and six police personnel.
AAP 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 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the Singh led government and claimed that police have nexus with illegal liquor mafia.
The Punjab police have arrested 17 more people in a "massive crackdown" spanning more than 100 raids. The total number of arrests in the case has gone up to 25, the police said.
Most of the deceased are from Tarn Taran, which accounts for 63 deaths, followed by Amritsar Rural at 12 and Gurdaspur (Batala) at 11.
With inputs from ANI
Also read: Punjab hooch tragedy: BJP and AAP slam state government of laxity
