In response to the hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district, Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia to the kin of the victims and announced a commission of inquiry to investigate the incident, on Thursday.
As the death toll from the tragedy climbed to 34 on Thursday morning, with around 100 individuals hospitalized and five in critical condition, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy, aiming to provide financial support during this difficult time.
Furthermore, CM Stalin ordered the formation of a one-man commission headed by retired High Court Justice P. Gokuldas. In a press note, CM Stalin stated, "I have ordered the formation of a one-man commission headed by retired High Court Justice P. Gokuldas to find out all the factors that led to this incident and advise the government on the steps to be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again in Tamil Nadu in the future."
Further, CM Stalin instructed the police to trace the source of the methanol utilized in alcohol production.
The Chief Minister stated, "I have instructed for the immediate arrest of all individuals engaged in the production and distribution of methanol-mixed alcohol. Measures are underway to fully identify the presence of methanol used in the incident and to seize and destroy it."
Additionally, the Chief Minister has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Home Secretary to visit Kallakurichi and furnish a report on the incident within one to two days.
Meanwhile, those affected are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital, as well as medical facilities in Salem, Villupuram, and the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry.
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