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At least 34 people died, and around 100 were hospitalised on Wednesday after allegedly drinking illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district, officials said on Thursday. The death toll is likely to increase, they said. So far, four people have been arrested.
Critical patients have been admitted to hospitals in Salem, Tiruvannamalai, and Puducherry.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said he was “shocked” by the deaths and stated that action was taken against those officials who were responsible for not preventing the incident.
In a post on X, MK Stalin said, “I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of the deaths of people who had consumed adulterated liquor in Kallakurichi. Those involved in the crime have been arrested in this matter. Action has also been taken against the officials who failed to prevent it. Immediate action will be taken if the public informs about those involved in such crimes. Such crimes that ruin the society will be suppressed with an iron fist.”
On Thursday, the opposition AIADMK's advocates requested the Madras High Court to hear an urgent petition on the liquor tragedy. A division bench comprising Justices D Krishnakumar and K Kumaresh Babu agreed to hear it on June 21.
கள்ளக்குறிச்சியில் கள்ளச்சாராயம் அருந்தியவர்கள் உயிரிழந்த செய்திகேட்டு அதிர்ச்சியும் வேதனையும் அடைந்தேன். இந்த விவகாரத்தில் குற்றத்தில் ஈடுபட்டவர்கள் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்கள். தடுக்கத் தவறிய அதிகாரிகள் மீதும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 19, 2024
இதுபோன்ற குற்றங்களில் ஈடுபடுபவர்கள்… pic.twitter.com/QGEYo9FWJq
Stalin has ordered a Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) investigation for a thorough probe. The TN government has replaced Kallakurichi district collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath and suspended superintendent of police Samay Singh Meena, as per a statement. Additionally, nine other police officers, including those from the Kallakurichi prohibition wing, have been suspended, it added.
Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan shared a post saying, “I was very shocked to know that many lives were lost in Kallakurichi due to consumption of counterfeit liquor. Many others are fighting for their lives in critical condition. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and a speedy recovery to those admitted to the hospitals.”
“From time to time, news emerges from different parts of our state about deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor. They reflect continuing shortcomings in curbing illicit alcohol production and consumption. This is a matter of serious concern,” it added.