Amritsar (Punjab) [India], May 13 (ANI): Amritsar MP and Congress leader Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Tuesday blamed the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab for the spurious liquor tragedy in Majitha in which at least 14 people lost their lives, and six were hospitalised.

'This is a failure of the police and administration. It (liquor) is being sold openly,' Aujla told ANI.

'The Chief Minister, Home Minister, Excise Minister and officials do not know what is happening on the ground? Is it not their responsibility? The liquor mafia must be punished,' he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has expressed sadness over the deaths and said that the culprits behind the incident will not be spared, ensuring the strictest punishment for them.

'The sad news of the death of many people due to the consumption of poisoned liquor has been received in the villages around Majitha. These killers of innocent people will not be spared at any cost. These are not deaths, but murders,' Mann said in a post on X.

'These culprits who create a mourning atmosphere in people's homes with poisonous liquor will be punished strictly according to the law. I pray to God for the peace of the departed souls. The government stands with the affected families and will provide all possible help,' he added.

Meanwhile, a total of six people have been arrested in connection with the illicit liquor case.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) (Border Range) Satinder Singh said, 'This is an unfortunate incident. Six people, including the kingpin and locals, have been arrested.'

SSP Amritsar (Rural) Maninder Singh said that four local suppliers were arrested yesterday, revealing the name of the accused Prabhjeet Singh, who informed about the kingpin Sahib Singh, accused of supplying methanol.

Prabhjeet obtained 50 litre of methanol and diluted to make 120 litres only to supply it to four local suppliers, the SSP added.

'Four local suppliers arrested yesterday revealed the name of a liquor supplier named Prabhjeet. This man told us about a kingpin, Sahib Singh, who supplies methanol. He obtained 50 litres of methanol, which was diluted to make 120 litres. This was sold to the four local suppliers. We have invoked stringent sections of the law against the six arrested persons. FIR registered under 105 BNS,' SSP Singh told ANI. (ANI)