At Least 29 Dead, Over 60 Hospitalized in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi After Consuming Illicit Liquor

At least 29 people have lost their lives and more than 60 have been hospitalized in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district after allegedly consuming illicit liquor, officials confirmed on Thursday. The death toll is feared to rise, as the authorities scramble to contain the crisis.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressing shock and sadness over the deaths. In a statement, Stalin assured that action has been taken against those responsible for not preventing the incident, and that immediate action will be taken if the public informs about those involved in such crimes.

The authorities have arrested K Kannukutti, 49, after seizing around 200 liters of illegal liquor containing deadly methanol from him. Stalin has ordered a Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) investigation for a thorough probe into the incident.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government has taken swift action, replacing Kallakurichi district collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath and suspending superintendent of police Samay Singh Meena. Nine other police officers, including those from the Kallakurichi prohibition wing, have also been suspended.

Why it Matters : The incident highlights the persistent problem of illicit liquor production and consumption in Tamil Nadu, which has claimed numerous lives in the past. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for more effective measures to curb the menace of spurious liquor and ensure the safety of citizens.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has also expressed his condolences for the deaths and wished the victims a quick recovery. The state government has sent senior ministers EV Velu and Ma Subramanian to Kallakurichi to help the affected families.

Around 15 people were admitted to Puducherry's Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) for treatment. The new collector of the Kallakurichi district, MS Prasanth, visited the patients receiving treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, while Rajath Chaturvedi has taken over as the district's new police superintendent.

As the investigation unfolds, the people of Tamil Nadu are left to grapple with the devastating consequences of this tragedy. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for collective action to combat the scourge of illicit liquor and ensure the safety and well-being of citizens.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 29 people have died and over 60 have been hospitalized in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district after consuming illicit liquor.
• The authorities have arrested one person and seized 200 liters of illegal liquor containing deadly methanol.
• The Tamil Nadu government has taken swift action, suspending several officials and replacing the district collector and superintendent of police.
• The incident highlights the persistent problem of illicit liquor production and consumption in Tamil Nadu, which has claimed numerous lives in the past.
• The state government has assured that immediate action will be taken if the public informs about those involved in such crimes.

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