Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 54, seven arrested
A total of 142 others, including six women, are undergoing treatment at various government hospitals in Salem, Villupuram and Puducherry
The death toll in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu rose to 54 with four more persons losing their lives after consuming spurious liquor at Karunapuram. The victims include 48 men and six women. Most of those who succumbed on the interim night between Friday and Saturday were from Karunapuram.
Kallakurichi hooch tragedy 2024: A pall of gloom
Thirty persons died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital, 17 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in Salem, four at the Government Villupuram Medical College Hospital and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry.
A total of 142 others, including six women and one transperson, are undergoing treatment at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital, and government medical college hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jipmer in Puducherry.
Arrests made
The CB-CID police have so far arrested the bootlegger Govindaraj alias Kannukutty, his wife Vijaya, brother Damodaran and Chinnadurai, the prime suspect who is believed to have supplied the brew to Govindaraj. Joseph alias Raja of Sankarapuram who had supplied the brew to Chinnadurai was also arrested.
Two more persons, Ramar and Madesh have also been arrested.
Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: T.N. Law Minister rules out CBI inquiry
On Friday, June 22, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin chaired a review meeting via video conferencing with District Collectors and District Superintendent of Police on measures taken to curb illicit liquor.
Calls for CBI inquiry
After the main opposition party, AIADMK, demanded a CBI inquiry into the hooch tragedy deaths district, PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Friday, June 22, also said the Tamil Nadu government must hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation since police higher officials who were supporting this trade needed to be brought to book.
District administrations begin crackdown
The police in the Central Zone, encompassing nine districts, have booked 342 prohibition cases on June 19 and 20 with Thanjavur district accounting for highest number of cases. Stern action was being taken against those selling liquor illegally and those involved in hoarding and smuggling in the nine districts, a police press note said.
Madurai District Collector M.S. Sangeetha headed a meeting of officials to check any attempt at illicit liquor brewing or sale with the combined efforts of the district administration and the police.
The Mayiladuthurai district administration has come out with phone numbers for members of the to call and send WhatsApp messages to report the sale of spurious liquor or banned tobacco products.
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Kallakurichi hooch tragedy