14 die after drinking spurious liquor in India’s Punjab

Several others in critical condition are receiving treatment in hospital

As many as 14 people have died after consuming bootleg liquor in India’s Punjab.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the deaths in five villages in Punjab’s Amritsar district, according to Indian broadcaster NDTV.

Police said six others were hospitalised in critical condition. The dead were brick kiln workers.

News18 wrote that the residents of the neighbouring villages also consumed spurious liquor. Many of them are suffering from vomiting and other physical ailments. At present, up to 15 people are in critical condition at a government hospital in Amritsar.

Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney told journalists that Senior Superintendent of Police Maninder Singh had reached the spot to inspect the situation.

A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Excise Act, according to police.