Punjab hooch tragedy toll rises to 65

The death toll in the hooch tragedy in three districts of Punjab has risen to 65, government officials told The Hindu on Saturday.

At least 65 people have died over the past three days in three districts of Punjab, including 42 dead in Tarn Taran, 12 in Amritsar rural, and 11 in Gurdaspur’s Batala, allegedly after consumption of spurious liquor.

“So far 42 people have died in Tarn Taran,” said Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner Kulwant Singh. Meanwhile, Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ishfaq said that 11 deaths, suspected to be on account of consumption of spurious liquor, have been reported in Batala city of the district.