At least 34 people died and around 100 were hospitalized in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district on Wednesday after consuming suspected illicit liquor, with officials expecting the death toll to rise. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed shock and sadness over the deaths linked to the consumption of adulterated liquor in Kallakurichi. He assured that those responsible for the crime have been apprehended, and action has been taken against officials found negligent.
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Stalin emphasized the government’s commitment to swiftly act on any information from the public regarding such crimes, promising strict measures to combat activities detrimental to society.
The opposition AIADMK approached the Madras High Court urgently seeking intervention in the liquor tragedy. A division bench comprising Justices D Krishnakumar and K Kumaresh Babu agreed to hear the case on June 21.
Stalin ordered a comprehensive investigation by the Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID). The government also replaced the Kallakurichi district collector and suspended the district’s superintendent of police, along with nine other police personnel from the prohibition wing.
The newly appointed district collector visited patients at the Government Medical College Hospital, where treatment is ongoing. Rajath Chaturvedi has taken charge as the new police superintendent for Kallakurichi.
Senior ministers EV Velu and Ma Subramanian were dispatched to Kallakurichi by Stalin to extend support to the affected families. Governor RN Ravi also conveyed condolences and wished speedy recovery to the victims.
The Raj Bhavan of Tamil Nadu expressed deep concern over recurring incidents of deaths due to consumption of illicit liquor in various parts of the state, highlighting persistent challenges in combating the production and consumption of illicit alcohol.
