In Tamil Nadu, 31 people died and more than 60 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals following a hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi yesterday. Those who fell ill after consuming spurious liquor have been hospitalised at various hospitals in Kallakurichi, Salem and JIPMER in Puducherry.
The District Collector of Kallakurichi, where the incident happened, has been transferred and ten other officials including DSP have been suspended. The bootlegger has been arrested and 200 litres of illicit liquor has been seized from him and sent for
examination. Most of the affected people who consumed the illicit liquor had complained of giddiness, stomach pain and irritation in the eyes.
Speaking to the media at Kallakurichi last night, Tamil Nadu Health Minister M. Subramaniam said that the deaths occurred because of high methanol content in the liquor. He said a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the tragedy. The Minister said that the government would take strong action against those involved in such criminal activity.