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At least 38 persons have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor at Karunapuram in Kallakurichi district on June 19 and June 20.
What is Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy ?
In one of the worst hooch tragedies in recent times, at least 34 people, including a few women, have died, and 52 others are battling for their lives after consuming a methanol-spiked moonshine brew in Kallakurichi town, some 200 kilometres away from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday, June 20.
Today’s News :
The victims included two women and a transperson. A total of 82 others are undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, over 2,000 police personnel drawn from various districts have been deployed in Kallakurichi.
While Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has expressed shock over the incident, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has constituted a one-man commission headed by Justice B. Gokuldas, former High Court judge, to conduct a thorough inquiry into the tragedy.
The Chief Minister also announced a solatium of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those who were being treated.
Residents of Karunapuram alleged that illicit liquor was freely available in the town. A number of them said they had seen bootlegger Govindaraj alias Kannukutty selling the killer brew in plastic sachets of 250 ml each.
In spite of repeated complaints to the jurisdictional police, no action was taken against him, the residents alleged. Govindaraj was arrested on June 19, after the tragedy.
“Most of the victims were daily wage labourers and load men and used to drink every day after work. Illicit liquor has been freely available in the town over the past seven months.
The men spent their money on the spurious alcohol since they cannot afford branded liquor and ultimately, it claimed their lives,” said Senthil, a resident of Karunapuram.
Anandan first complained of breathlessness. He was rushed to the Government Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital after he experienced the loss of eyesight.
However, his health condition deteriorated following which he was referred to Salem, where he died.
The district administration has made arrangements for a mass cremation and burial for the victims near the Gomukhi River and a few other places near Kallakurichi town.