Tamil Nadu twin hooch tragedies: Death toll rises to 18, opposition wants CM to quit

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, May 16, 2023: The death toll in the twin hooch tragedies in Tamil Nadu districts mounted to 18.

 

Thirteen from Marakkanam in Villupuram district while five from Maduranthakam in Chengalpattu district have died after consuming spurious liquor. The DMK government is facing flak from the Opposition leaders.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin transferred the case to Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) and assured that the government will take stringent action against the culprits. The CM paid a visit to government hospital in Villupuram district on Monday where many people were admitted after consuming industrial methanol-mixed liquor.

Here are five points related to deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor

1. The CM announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased while Rs 50,000 compensation will be given to the people who were hospitalised after consuming illicit liquor. It was reported that 47 people have been hospitalised in Villupuram district.

2. The police have arrested two people and suspended 10 police officials, including Villupuram SP and two DSPs in charge of prohibition enforcement. Also, the chief of Chengalpattu police has been transferred.

3. The police in Villupuram, Chengalpattu and Cuddalore districts intensified the drive to trace out illicit liquor producers. The police in Villupuram district arrested 55 bootleggers in the last 24 hours and reportedly seized 109 litres of illicit arrack and over 420 bottles. Cuddalore police booked 88 bootleggers and arrested 22 of them while the Tiruvarur police held 44 bootleggers in the district.

4. Former CM and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, along with Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai, called the ruling DMK government incompetent. Palaniswami said that he was deeply saddened by the incident and pointed out that the law and order was in a bad situation in the state. He also demanded the resignation of CM Stalin and minster V Senthil Balaji.

5. BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan blamed the state government and the state police for the deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor in the twin incidents.

Courtesy: India Today