Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: The death toll of the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu, rose to 52 on Friday. People in almost every house of Karunapuram, an area dominated by daily wage workers are mourning the death of their family members.
The tragedy took place on June 18 when daily wage workers’ began experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache, and irritation in the eyes. started getting sick after the consumption of hooch.
Hooch refers to illicitly brewed, poor-quality alcohol which is consumed by people because it is available at a very cheap price. It can pose serious health risks as it often contains methanol, which is a highly toxic substance for humans.
165 victims who felt sick, post the consumption were being admitted at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital, and other hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry. 116 are still being treated.
Illicit Hooch Sales: Norm Unchecked by Police
Locals said the sale of illicit hooch has been going on for decades and has allegedly gone unchecked by the police.
“It isn’t something new and it happens right under the nose of the police who operate under the local political leaders,” said a local resident who lost both her parents in the tragedy.
Karunapuram area is located right behind the Kallakurichi Town Police Station. Most of the affected people in the tragedy are daily wage workers from Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes.
Response of Tamil Nadu CM, MK Stalin
District Collector Sravankumar Jatavath was replaced by MS Prashanth as the new Collector. The state government suspended the Superintendent of Police (SP) Samay Singh Meena, and other 11 policemen on Wednesday, and ordered an investigation by the Crime Branch of the Crime Investigation Department, and ordered the formation of one man army commission headed by Justice Gokuldas to probe the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.
This morning, three accused, identified as Govindaraj, Damodaran and Vijaya were sent to 15 days of judicial custody until July 5 and taken to Cuddalore prison.
The CM announced ex-gratia for the victim’s families and people under treatment. Compensation of Rs. 10 Lakh for the families of the deceased and 50,000 will be provided to those receiving hospital treatment.
K. Annamalai Slams MK Stalin, to hold a protest against DMK
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President, K.Annamalai had written an appeal to Home Minister Amit Shah for CBI probe into the deaths.
https://x.com/annamalai_k/status/1804031140640231448?t=71Hc4BTuCMDnBb-uZUhcjw&s=19
There have been numerous cases of such tragedies in India. It can be prevented by efficiency in government regulation, public awareness, and local quality control practices.
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