Hooch Tragedy: AIADMK Workers Led By Ex-CM Palaniswami Stage Hunger Strike Demanding CBI Inquiry

Former Minister C Vijayabaskar alleged that there was a lack of opportunities to voice concerns in the Assembly necessitating public protests.

AIADMK leaders including General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami initiated a hunger strike on Wednesday, demanding a CBI inquiry into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The protest came after the suspension of AIADMK MLAs from the state Assembly until June 29.

Speaking on the issue, AIADMK leader D Jayakumar emphasised the necessity of a CBI investigation. "CBI enquiry should be conducted, and until it is handed over to the CBI, we will continue our agitation. Democracy is being killed. In the Assembly, we have not been given the opportunity to raise this issue. This is the burning issue of Tamil Nadu," he stated.

Senior AIADMK leader C. Ponnaiyan called for the dismissal of the Stalin government, alleging their involvement in the production and sale of illicit liquor. "Our demand is the dismissal of Stalin government to begin with. Taking legal action against the atrocities of illicit drugs, which are being distilled by DMK functionaries only. There is full support of Stalin and his government," he declared.

Former Minister C Vijayabaskar alleged that there was lack of opportunities to voice concerns in the Assembly necessitating public protests. "...There is no provision to raise our voice in the Assembly forum. So, now we have turned to the public forum. We need to find the root cause, and who all are involved. CBI is the right agency to find the root cause," he asserted.

Chairman of National Commission For SC Visits Karunapuram

Meanwhile, Kishor Makwana, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, visited the families of victims of Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in the Karunapuram area. Offering condolences, he stated, "I offer my condolences to the 61 deceased in the hooch tragedy and pray for the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment. We met the kin of the deceased. The manufacture and sale of illicit liquor had been going on in the area for a long time but the administration and government did not pay attention."

"The victims' families should be given jobs, homes, and education allowance for their children. The commission demands strict action to ensure such incidents are not repeated," he said.