Spurious liquor in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi claims over 34 lives, more than 100 hospitalized

At least 34 people have died and more than 100 hospitalized in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi after consuming ‘methanol mixed arrack’ as its sale was rampant in the small town, some 240 km away from the state capital of Chennai.

The victims mostly include daily-wage workers who consumed the cheap liquor at Karunapuram in Kallakurichi on the night of June 18. These daily-wage workers drink locally made illicit 'packet arrack' as they cannot afford Indian made foreign liquor sold in Tasmac (The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) outlets.

The incident has raised serious questions on district administratin regarding the sale of illicit liquor going unchecked.

The illicit liquor is made by improper distillation or by using methylated spirit which contains higher percentage of methyl alcohol making it poisonous and unfit for human consumption. as it causes blindness, other serious health problems and even death.

As the effect of liquor started to show on June 19, the affected people were admitted at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital, and hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry.

A top district official while talking to reporters said that 109 people have been hospitalized and the status of those in a critical stage 'keeps changing' and it would be updated later.

Among the victims are several women who also consumed the liquor also died. According to initial probe, methanol was mixed with the spurious liquor and about 900 liters of illicit liquor has been recovered since June 19. As per media reports, 14 of the hospitalized patients are said to be critical.

So far, 10 people, including two women have been arrested in connection with the tragedy. The district official also said the government is taking tough action and will not spare anyone.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday announced ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and people under treatment in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. As many as 34 people died after consuming ‘methanol mixed arrack’ in the southern state.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on June 20 announced ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and people under treatment in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.

He also announced a compensation of ₹50,000 to those currently receiving hospital treatment.
CM Stalin said the state Home Secretary and Director General of Police would submit a report on the Hooch tragedy.

Furthermore, he has issued a one-man commission to be led by retired Madras High Court Judge B Gokuldas to make recommendations to the government on measures to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and also look into the reasons for the Kallakurichi deaths.