The number of deaths in the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi district rose to 55, with five more persons losing their lives on Saturday.
Thirty-one persons died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital; 17 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem; four at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital; and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry.
A total of 159 persons, including six women and one transperson, are undergoing treatment in hospitals.
The CB-CID police have so far arrested the bootlegger, Govindaraj, alias Kannukutty; his wife Vijaya; brother Damodaran; Chinnadurai, the prime suspect who is believed to have supplied the brew to Govindaraj; Joseph, alias Raja, of Sankarapuram, who had supplied the brew to Chinnadurai; and Ramar and Madesh for their involvement in the incident.
On Friday, June 22, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin chaired a review meeting via video conferencing with District Collectors and District Superintendent of Police on measures taken to curb illicit liquor.
Calls for CBI inquiry
After the main opposition party, AIADMK, demanded a CBI inquiry into the hooch tragedy deaths district, PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Friday, June 22, also said the Tamil Nadu government must hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation since police higher officials who were supporting this trade needed to be brought to book.
District administrations begin crackdown
The police in the Central Zone, encompassing nine districts, have booked 342 prohibition cases on June 19 and 20 with Thanjavur district accounting for highest number of cases. Stern action was being taken against those selling liquor illegally and those involved in hoarding and smuggling in the nine districts, a police press note said.
Madurai District Collector M.S. Sangeetha headed a meeting of officials to check any attempt at illicit liquor brewing or sale with the combined efforts of the district administration and the police.
The Mayiladuthurai district administration has come out with phone numbers for members of the to call and send WhatsApp messages to report the sale of spurious liquor or banned tobacco products.
