Bhagwant Mann Orders Action in Punjab Hooch Tragedy: "This Poison Can't Flow Without Political or Official Nexus"

Following the tragic deaths caused by the consumption of spurious liquor in villages near Majitha, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has made a strong statement, calling the tragedy not just a mishap but a “mass murder” fuelled by a nexus of corruption and negligence.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Mann wrote in Punjabi:

ਇਹ ਜ਼ਹਿਰ ਦਾ ਵਪਾਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਰਾਜਨੀਤਿਕ ਜਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਦੀ ਮਿਲੀਭੁਗਤ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਹੋ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ। ਅਸੀਂ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਐਕਸ਼ਨ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਲੋਕਲ DSP ਤੇ ਐਕਸਾਈਜ਼ ਇੰਸਪੈਕਟਰ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਕਈ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਸਸਪੈਂਡ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ। ਸਾਡੀ 'ਯੁੱਧ ਨਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ' ਮੁਹਿੰਮ ਤਹਿਤ ਅਸੀਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਸ਼ੇ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਹਿਰ ਪੰਜਾਬ 'ਚ ਵਿਕਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇਵਾਂਗੇ।
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— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) May 13, 2025

“ਇਹ ਜ਼ਹਿਰ ਦਾ ਵਪਾਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਰਾਜਨੀਤਿਕ ਜਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਦੀ ਮਿਲੀਭੁਗਤ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਹੋ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ। ਅਸੀਂ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਐਕਸ਼ਨ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਲੋਕਲ DSP ਤੇ ਐਕਸਾਈਜ਼ ਇੰਸਪੈਕਟਰ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਕਈ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਸਸਪੈਂਡ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ। ਸਾਡੀ 'ਯੁੱਧ ਨਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ' ਮੁਹਿੰਮ ਤਹਿਤ ਅਸੀਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਸ਼ੇ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਹਿਰ ਪੰਜਾਬ 'ਚ ਵਿਕਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇਵਾਂਗੇ।”

The English translation of the tweet reads:

“This poison trade is not possible without the collusion of some political elements or officials. We’ve taken strict action by suspending the local DSP, Excise Inspector, and several other officers. Under our ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign, we will not allow any form of toxic substance to be sold in Punjab.”

Several Officials Suspended Amid Statewide Crackdown

Sources in the Punjab government confirmed that immediate disciplinary action has been taken against law enforcement and excise officials who failed to prevent the circulation of illicit liquor. Investigations are ongoing to trace the supply chain behind the fatal brew.

Bhagwant Mann had earlier termed these deaths as “murders, not accidents” and had vowed that the guilty would not be spared, regardless of their rank or political affiliations.

Political Reactions and Public Outrage

The tragedy has triggered a wave of public anger and drawn responses from opposition leaders questioning the government’s control over illegal liquor trade. Meanwhile, Mann has reaffirmed his commitment to eradicate the drug and hooch network in Punjab, stating that no compromise will be made.

‘War Against Drugs’ Continues

Mann’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had launched the “Yudh Nasha Ke Virudh” campaign early in his tenure. While significant arrests and seizures have been made under this initiative, the current incident has highlighted deep-rooted issues still plaguing the enforcement system.

The state administration is expected to make further arrests and reveal more findings in the coming days. Stay tuned for updates on the investigation and its legal ramifications.