New Delhi: The death toll in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy has risen to 54, after four more persons succumbed to spurious liquor at Karunapuram. Of the 54 deceased, 48 were men and six women.
A total of 142 others are currently undergoing treatment at Government Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital, and government medical college hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jipmer in Puducherry.
Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin on Friday, June 21, held a review meeting through video conferencing with district collectors and district superintendents of police to instruct them about measures to be taken to stop the sale of illicit liquor.
Opposition parties in the state, led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the deaths, and also to bring police higher officials who are allegedly supporting the illicit trade to book.
Police across nine districts of Tamil Nadu in the Central Zone booked 342 prohibition cases on June 19 and 20, and most cases were booked in Thanjavur district. Quoting from a police press note, The Hindu said strong action was being taken against those involved in the sale, hoarding and smuggling of illicit liquor across the state.
District collector of Madurai M.S. Sangeetha held a meeting with officials to check any attempt at illicit liquor brewing or sale. She directed district administration and the police to take strong action against any such attempts.
The district administration of Mayiladuthurai district administration came out with phone numbers for people to call and send WhatsApp messages to report the sale of spurious liquor or banned tobacco products.
