Twelve people were on Thursday killed and 20 others were taken ill after they consumed illicit liquor in Dasuya area of Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, police said.
The tragedy took place after the victims drank hooch, which was brought in by two persons from an illegal distillery in Gurdaspur district, they said.
The 20 persons, who were taken ill after consuming the illicit liquor, have been admitted in the local Civil Hospital, they said.
Police said two persons identified as Jaswant Singh and Kala have been arrested in the case.
The victims, residents of villages around Dasuya town located on the Jalandhar-Pathankot national highway, had named them as the suppliers
A case has been registered in the regard at the Dasuya police station, they said.
A police team has been sent to various areas in Gurdaspur district from where the accused had brought the illicit liquor.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has described the incident as "unfortunate" and ordered a magisterial inquiry into it.
Taking the issue seriously, the deputy chief minister has also asked Director General of Police P S Gill to order a separate independent inquiry by IG Zonal and submit its report within seven days. He has also directed the DGP to take immediate and effective steps to curb illicit distillation of liquor and its sale.
