Chennai:

Twenty-nine people have died after consuming toxic liquor in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district, around 250 km from state capital Chennai. At least 68 others, who reportedly consumed the toxic liquor over the past few days, have been hospitalised. Eighteen of them have been shifted to JIPMER in Puducherry and six to the Medical College and Hospital in Salem.

Many of these victims were from Karunapuram area. A woman who lost her son said, “He complained of severe stomach ache and difficulty to open his eyes. He said he had consumed arrack. Initially, the hospital refused to admit him, saying he’s drunk. The state government should shut all liquor shops.”

Another mother said, “My son suffered excruciating stomach pain. He could neither see nor hear. This shouldn’t happen to anyone. Stop selling liquor.”

Police have arrested a suspected bootlegger and detained two others. Confirming that these deaths were caused due to consumption of toxic liquor, a senior police officer told NDTV, “We are investigating what exactly they consumed. We have taken three people into custody. At least three of the four people who died had consumed liquor supplied by private people, not procured from the government-run liquor shops.”

In a statement, the state government said 26 people had taken arrack from packets and added that forensic investigation had confirmed the presence of poisonous methanol.

The state government has suspended district police chief Samay Singh Meena and appointed Rajat Chaturvedi in his place. Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath has been replaced by MS Prasanth.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police-rank officer of prohibition enforcement wing, three inspectors and as many sub-inspectors were suspended.

The state government also transferred the probe into the toxic liquor tragedy to CB-CID.

Chief Minister MK Stalin said in a post on X that he is shocked and pained about the loss of lives. “The accused have been arrested. Action has been taken against officials who failed to prevent this. We will crack down with an iron hand. If public complain about such perpetrators, action would be taken.”

He has asked two ministers, including Health Minister Ma Subramaniam, to rush to Kallakurichi and ensure every possible medical help to the affected people.

Disturbing reports started emerging yesterday after three people died in different locations over the past three days. Despite a buzz that the deaths may have been caused by toxic liquor, District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath initially denied such reports. “These deaths have happened over three days. One of them was a teetotaller and one of them had a stomach problem. No one died in the hospital, and none came in an inebriated condition. In the commotion, someone said illicit liquor and it spread. We are investigating,” he had said.

This tragedy is being seen as a huge failure by intelligence agencies and the prohibition enforcement wing. Last year, too, 22 people died in Tamil Nadu after consuming methanol.

AIADMK chief and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the ruling DMK for and said the state government failed to curb the toxic liquor problem even after he pointed out. “I urge Chief Minister M K Stalin to take stringent action to curb toxic liquor instead of word play like last time, when they called it methanol and not toxic liquor.”

State BJP chief K Annamalai said DMK had not “learnt its lesson” after 22 deaths due to consumption of toxic liquor last year.

Governor R N Ravi, whose tenure has seen several face-offs between the ruling party and the Raj Bhavan, posted on X, “This reflects continuing lapses in preventing production and consumption of illicit liquor. It is a matter of serious concern.”

Chennai:

Over 20 people from Kallakurichi district in the northern part of Tamil Nadu were hospitalised and at least five persons died after suspected consumption of illicit ‘packet arrack’, officials said on Wednesday.

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

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

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

Leader of opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, quoting local news reports, told reporters that approximately 40 people have been hospitalised after drinking illicit arrack.

“Deaths due to illicit arrack consumption is continuing ever since the DMK regime took over and I have been raising the issue and seeking action in state Assembly as well,” Palaniswami said and demanded that the state government take tough action on the issue.

“Precious lives of poor people have been lost in Kallakurichi,” the former Chief Minister said.

According to the government, more than 20 people, who complained of vomitting and stomach pain were admitted on June 19 in Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital and following a probe by police and revenue officials, it is suspected that they could have consumed ‘packet arrack.’ Of them, G Praveen Kumar (26), D Suresh (40), K Sekar (59), and two others died. Bodies have been sent for autopsy and the cause of death will be known following completion of postmortem.

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. As many as 12 ambulances have been stationed at the Kallakurichi government hospital.

CM Stalin rushed senior Ministers EV Velu and Ma Subramanian to Kallakurichi to render all assistance to the affected families.

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

PMK founder leader S Ramadoss demanded that Stalin own up responsibility for the deaths. He alleged that the police department and the government is unable to rein in sale of illict arrack.

He urged the government to provide Rs 10 lakh as solatium to the family of the victims.

BJP state president K Annamalai said on X, “It is heart-wrenching to see the parents cry out of the pain of losing their child & wife losing her husband due to the consumption of illicit liquor. DMK has not learnt their lesson after the 22 hooch deaths last year & their misgovernance has led to 5 more deaths today. There is zero accountability in the DMK Govt & Ministers do not fear consequences for posing with illicit liquor sellers.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)