Amritsar: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia today demanded the resignation of Excise Minister Harpal Singh Cheema as well as all other perpetrators of the spurious liquor tragedy which resulted in 21 deaths in villages in Majitha.

He alleged that  nexus between ruling party leaders and drug mafia has been exposed once again.

Talking to media after visiting grieving families, the SAD leader said the tragedy was the direct result of the nexus between Aam Aadmi Party leaders and the drug mafia. 

 He said it was shocking that those who had acquired genuine licenses for conducting liquor trade were being harassed by issuance of challans while goons were having a field day by selling spurious liquor at their own rates. 

The SAD leader said  Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Excise Minister Harpal Singh Cheema were directly responsible for this sorry state of affairs. He said he was already aware of the situation but avoided raising it during heightened tensions and subsequent conflict with Pakistan. He said it was shocking that even post mortem of the deceased had not been carried out. 

Demanding Rs. 25 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased, Mr. Majithia said when the government was earning Rs. 11000 crores as revenue from excise duties it could easily provide adequate compensation to the victims of the spurious liquor tragedy. He said this was  not the first such case during the tenure of the AAP government.. “Earlier more than 20 persons died in Sangrur last year besides other incidents. He said these incidents were occurring because goons of the ruling party were  hand in glove with those doing this illegal trade.

He said that Shiromani Akali Dal stands with the aggrieved families and would fight to ensure justice for them.