7 excise officials, 6 cops suspended as 86 die from toxic liquor in Punjab

New Delhi: Sukhbir Singh Badal, member of Shiromani Akali Dal, on Saturday alleged that the Punjab hooch tragedy, which cost the lives of 86 people, is the consequence of the Congress-led government’s patronage to its leaders, MLAs and ministers for allegedly carrying out the illegal liquor trade. He demanded the resignation of chief minister Amarinder Singh, said reports.

Badal said in a statement said, “The hooch tragedy is the direct and natural consequence of the patronage given to Congress leaders, including ministers and MLAs, for freely carrying out rampant illicit liquor trade in the state.”

He added that it is a murder, pure and simple and that all the guilty, including ministers and ruling party MLAs, should be arrested. Additionally, taking responsibility for this “horrendous crime”, the chief minister should step down immediately, he said.