India, May 13 -- At least 17 people have died and six are hospitalised in Majitha sub division of Punjab's Amritsar district after consuming spurious liquor, leading to the arrest of nine accused and the suspension of four officials, including the local excise and taxation officer (ETO) and deputy superintendent of police, on Tuesday.

The deaths were reported in Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan and Therewal villages of the sub division, officials said, adding that a police probe revealed that methanol was procured in bulk online to prepare the hooch.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said those responsible for the deaths of innocent people in the villages in Majitha would not be spared. "These are not deaths, these are murders," he p...