Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 38, over a hundred hospitalised in Tamil Nadu

The top district official further said that 109 people are being treated in a number of hospitals and the status of those in a critical stage “keeps changing” and it would be updated later.

State Minister (Highways) EV Velu said two women and one transgender person were among the victims.

He added sufficient medical professionals, including specialists from nearby government medical colleges have been deployed in the district to handle the situation, even as more number of ambulances with life-support have been stationed.

Requisite medicine and special teams of government doctors from Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Salem have been rushed to Kallakurichi hospital to assist, and supervise treatment. A senior official from Health department has also been deputed.

Also, as many as 18 people have been referred to Puducherry JIPMER Hospital for specialty treatment, and six others to Salem government hospital.

‘Every govt took strict action’

Briefing reporters in Kallakurichi, senior Minister EV Velu said it should not be assumed as if “illicit arrack sale” has happened only under the DMK rule and such incidents have been occuring during all the regimes.

“Every government (be it DMK or AIADMK governments) has taken tough action, this government has been taking stern action continuously.”

Furthermore, he told reporters: “As far as the government is concerned there is no necessity for it to encourage illicit liquor peddlers and we are taking tough action.”

“The government will not spare anyone,” he said, adding two women and one transgender were among the victims.

“I don’t like to justify the mistake, this incident must not have happened and since this has happened the chief minister has directed tough action.”

Be it brewers of illicit arrack or those who sell it, the government has been taking stern action including under Goondas Act.

Velu and Health Minister Ma Subramanian are camping in Kallakurichi to render help to the affected people.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister, MA Subramanian also visited the hospital, where the affected are undergoing treatment.

கள்ளக்குறிச்சி மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை பெற்று வருபவர்களுக்கு அளிக்கப்படும் சிகிச்சைகள் சம்பந்தமாக கேட்டறியப்பட்டு மரணம் அடைந்தவர்களின் குடும்பத்தாருக்கு ஆறுதல் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது. #Masubramanian #TNHealthminister #DMK4TN pic.twitter.com/2ppfTNmH0Z

— Subramanian.Ma (@Subramanian_ma) June 19, 2024

Actor-politician Vijay, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief blamed the negligence of the government for the incident and demanded that the state take ‘tough’ precautionary measures to prevent recurrence.

Also Read: Death toll rises in Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy, several hospitalised after consuming illicit arrack in Kallakurichi

Action against officials

K Kannukutti (49) has been arrested and an analysis of about 200 litres of illicit arrack seized from him has disclosed presence of deadly methanol, the government said.

Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered a CB-CID probe to ensure comprehensive investigation and the government transferred Kallakurichi District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath while Superintendent of Police Samay Singh Meena was suspended, a statement said.

Nine other police personnel including those from prohibition wing of Kallakurichi district have been placed under suspension.

MS Prasanth and Rajath Chaturvedi have been appointed as the new collector and police superintendent for Kallakurichi district.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi expressed shock over the loss of lives and expressed “serious concern” over “continuing lapses,” vis-a-vis illicit liquor.

CM Stalin vowed to crush such crimes with an “iron fist”.

“Deeply shocked at the reported loss of lives due to consumption of illicit liquor in Kallakurichi. Many more victims are in serious condition battling for lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for speedy recovery of those in hospitals,” Governor Ravi said on the Raj Bhavan’s official ‘X’ handle.

Deeply shocked at the reported loss of lives due to consumption of illicit liquor in Kallakurichi. Many more victims are in serious condition battling for lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for speedy recovery of those in hospitals. Every now and…

— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) June 19, 2024

“Every now and then tragic loss of lives due to consumption of illicit liquors are reported from various parts of our state. This reflects continuing lapses in preventing production and consumption of illicit liquor. This is a matter of serious concern,” he added.

Opposition attacks Stalin

The AIADMK lashed out against the ruling DMK over the matter.

Taking to X, the Leader of Opposition, Edappadi Palaniswami, said, he would be meeting the victims in Kallakuruchi.

He further added, “As the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly convenes today, as per tradition, condolence resolutions will be read and passed for many including the deceased former members. Condolences to the deceased on behalf of AIADMK”

கள்ளக்குறிச்சியில் கள்ளச்சாராயம் அருந்தி உயிரிழந்தோர் எண்ணிக்கை 29ஆக உயர்ந்துள்ள செய்தி கேட்டு பேரதிர்ச்சி அடைந்தேன்.

இன்று தமிழ்நாடு சட்டப்பேரவை கூடும் நிலையில், மரபுப்படி மறைந்த முன்னாள் உறுப்பினர்கள் உட்பட பலருக்கு இரங்கல் தீர்மானம் வாசித்து நிறைவேற்றப்படும். மறைந்தோர்க்கு…

— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) June 20, 2024

(With PTI inputs)