Tamil Nadu Hooch Deaths: Tragedy struck the Kallakurichi district in northern Tamil Nadu, as over 20 individuals were hospitalised and at least five people lost their lives following the suspected consumption of illicit 'packet arrack,' officials reported on Wednesday. The deceased have been identified as G Praveen Kumar (26), D Suresh (40), K Sekar (59), and two others, news agency PTI reported. The victims, who experienced vomiting and stomach pain, were admitted to Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital on June 19.
Following an investigation by police and revenue officials, it was suspected that they had consumed illicit 'packet arrack.'
Authorities have arrested K Kannukutti (49), seizing approximately 200 litres of illicit arrack from him. Analysis revealed the presence of the deadly methanol in the confiscated liquor, according to government officials, reported PTI.
Tamil Nadu Hooch Deaths: CM Stalin Orders CB-CID Probe, Kallakurichi SP Suspended, District Collector Transferred
Chief Minister M K Stalin has ordered a CB-CID probe to ensure a thorough investigation. In response to the incident, Kallakurichi District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath was transferred, and Superintendent of Police Samay Singh Meena was suspended, as per PTI. Additionally, nine other police personnel, including members of the prohibition wing of Kallakurichi district, have been placed under suspension.
The government has dispatched necessary medicines and special teams of doctors from Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Salem to Kallakurichi hospital to aid and oversee the treatment of the affected individuals. A senior Health Department official has also been appointed to supervise the response.
Furthermore, 18 people have been referred to Puducherry JIPMER Hospital for specialised treatment, while six others have been sent to Salem Government Hospital. Twelve ambulances have been stationed at Kallakurichi Government Hospital to facilitate swift medical response, PTI reported.
Chief Minister Stalin has also dispatched senior Ministers EV Velu and Ma Subramanian to Kallakurichi to provide all possible assistance to the affected families. MS Prasanth and Rajath Chaturvedi have been appointed as the new Collector and Superintendent of Police for Kallakurichi district.
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Tamil Nadu Hooch Deaths: AIADMK, BJP Question DMK Govt
Leader of the opposition and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, citing local news reports, told reporters that around 40 individuals had been hospitalised after consuming the illicit liquor. "Deaths due to illicit arrack consumption have continued since the DMK regime took over. I have been raising the issue and seeking action in the state Assembly as well," Palaniswami remarked, demanding stringent action from the state government, as quoted by PTI. "Precious lives of poor people have been lost in Kallakurichi," the former Chief Minister lamented.
BJP state president K Annamalai expressed his anguish on social media platform X, stating, "It is heart-wrenching to see the parents cry out of the pain of losing their child and wife losing her husband due to the consumption of illicit liquor. DMK has not learnt their lesson after the 22 hooch deaths last year, and their misgovernance has led to 5 more deaths today. There is zero accountability in the DMK government and Ministers do not fear consequences for posing with illicit liquor sellers."
PMK founder leader S Ramadoss has called on Stalin to take responsibility for the deaths. He criticised the police and government for their inability to curb the sale of illicit arrack and urged the government to provide Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased.