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At least 29 people have died after consuming illegal country-made liquor in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district, district collector MS Prashant confirmed. In this connection, 49-year-old (illicit liquor seller) K. Kannukutty has been arrested and investigation of about 200 liters of illegal liquor seized from him revealed that it contained deadly ‘methanol’. Chief Minister MK Stalin says that the accused has been arrested and action has also been taken against the concerned officials.
According to a statement, Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered a CB-CID inquiry to investigate the incident comprehensively. The government transferred Kallakurichi District Collector Shravan Kumar Jatavath after the incident, while suspended Superintendent of Police Samay Singh Meena. Nine other policemen have also been suspended, including policemen from the prohibition branch of Kallakurichi district. Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami told reporters, citing local news reports, that about 40 people were hospitalised after consuming illicit liquor. “Ever since the DMK government came to power, there have been deaths due to illicit liquor. I have been raising this issue in the Assembly as well and demanding action,” he said.
Suspected toddy consumption
Palaniswami demanded that the state government take strict action on the issue. According to the government, more than 20 people were admitted to the Kallakurichi Medical College who complained of vomiting and stomach pain. According to the government, based on investigations by police and revenue department officials, it is suspected that they might have consumed illicit liquor (toddy). Among them, G Praveen Kumar (26), D Suresh (40), K Shekar (59) and two others died. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and the cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem. Essential medicines and special teams of government doctors from Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Salem have been sent to Kallakurichi to help in the treatment.
12 ambulances deployed at Kallakurichi hospital
A senior health department official has also been deployed. At least 18 people were advised to be taken to Puducherry JIPMER Hospital and six others to Salem Government Hospital for specialised treatment. 12 ambulances have been deployed at Kallakurichi Government Hospital. Stalin sent senior ministers — E V Velu and Ma Subramanian — to Kallakurichi to provide all assistance to the affected families. M S Prashanth and Rajat Chaturvedi have been appointed as the new District Collector and Superintendent of Police of Kallakurichi district respectively. Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi expressed grief over the loss of lives and expressed “serious concern”. Chief Minister Stalin vowed to crush such crimes “strongly”.
Crimes ruining society will be crushed
Governor Ravi said on the Raj Bhavan’s official social media platform ‘X’, “Deeply saddened by the news of the death of people due to consumption of illicit liquor in Kallakurichi. Many more victims are in critical condition and struggling between life and death. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of those admitted in hospitals.” He said, “From various parts of our state, sad news of people losing their lives due to consumption of illicit liquor keeps coming from time to time. This reflects the shortcomings in preventing the production and consumption of illicit liquor. It is a matter of serious concern.” In a post on ‘X’, Stalin expressed grief over the deaths. He said those involved in the crime have been arrested and action has been taken against policemen who failed to prevent it. He assured immediate action against those involved in “such crimes” if people share information. The Chief Minister said, “Such crimes ruining society will be crushed strictly.”
