Tamil Nadu police claimed on Tuesday that the deaths in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts were due to the consumption of methanol and not spurious liquor, PTI reported. DGP C Sylendra Babu, in a press release, said the chemical was procured from a man from Puducherry and it was used to brew the spurious liquor, which led to the deaths of 18 people. Over 50 people have been hospitalised.
Methanol, a volatile, colourless and flammable liquid used for industrial purposes, has the odour of alcohol.
Police have launched a probe to find out from which industrial unit methanol was stolen, the release further said. Two people who sold the spirit have been arrested.
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"Samples of the spirit seized from Ekkiyarkuppam village near Marakkanam in Villupuram district and Perunkaranai village in Chengalpattu district were sent for analysis and the report stated that it was methanol and not hooch that led to the deaths," police said.
"Due to the effective measures taken to prevent the brewing of illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu, and also the enhanced vigil to curtail the movement of the illicit liquor, resulted in its non-availability in the state. Few persons resorted to selling the chemical substance stolen from industrial units. Hence, this tragedy," the release said.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Tamil Nadu government and the state police chief over the incident. The NHRC said the state government failed to prohibit the sale and consumption of illicit or spurious liquor.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the NHRC said the incident amounts to violation of the right to life of the people. The commission has sought a detailed report within four weeks, the statement said.
"The report should include the status of the FIR registered by the police, medical treatment of the victims and compensation, if any, granted to the aggrieved families. The commission would also like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officers, responsible for the tragedy," it said.
On Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin visited Chengalpattu and Villupuram districts to meet the victims receiving treatment at the hospital.
"Those responsible for the deaths have been arrested. Action has been initiated against the police officers who failed on their duty. I have also strictly ordered that such incidents should not repeat again. I have also ordered to transfer the case to CB-CID," he said.