The toll in the twin spurious liquor tragedy in Tamil Nadu rose to 17 on Monday, May 15, 2023.
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In the Marakkanam incident, the toll increased to 12, with the death of three more victims, who were undergoing treatment at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital. The deceased were identified as Rajavelu, 38, Vijayan, 55, and Sarath Kumar, 55, of Ekkiyarkuppam..
Official sources said 37 persons were undergoing treatment in Villupuram, three at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry and one at the Puducherry Government General Hospital..
The victims, mostly fishermen from Ekkiyarkuppam, had purchased the brew from Amaran, 25, who has since been arrested. The victims began arriving in hospital in Villupuram and Puducherry on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.
Searches conducted
The police detained as many as 55 arrack sellers in raids across Villupuram district on Monday.
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Meanwhile, the toll due to the consumption of spurious liquor in Maduranthakam, Chengalpattu district, rose to five, following the death of one more person. Police said Mariappan, 65, of Perumkaranai village, died at Government Chengalpattu Hospital. Meanwhile, Raju, 32, of Puthur, and Sankar, 48, of Perumkaranai, who were hospitalised following complications owing to consumption of spurious liquor, escaped from the hospital. The police have launched a search.
Probe transferred to CB-CID
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the transfer of the investigation into the illicit liquor deaths to the Crime Branch-CID.
The Chief Minister also announced the suspension of Villupuram Superintendent of Police N. Shreenatha, Villupuram Deputy Superintendent of Police (PEW) Palani, and Deputy Superintendent of Police of PEW Chengalpattu. The Superintendent of Police of Chengalpattu A. Pradeep has been transferred and placed on compulsory wait.
Speaking to reporters after meeting victims undergoing treatment at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital here, he said the accused involved in both incidents had been arrested.
Preliminary investigations suggest that industrial methanol was used in the preparation of the spurious liquor. Mr. Stalin said the liquor was packed in bottles of TASMAC and sold.
Solatium
The Chief Minister announced disbursal of ₹10 lakh each to the next of kin of deceased in both the incidents and ₹50,000 each to those undergoing treatment in hospitals in Villupuram, Puducherry, and Chengalpattu districts. Law enforcement authorities have been directed to nab all those involved in the incidents.
Earlier, chairing a review meeting with senior police personnel in Villupuram, the Chief Minister issued a stern warning to the law enforcement authorities and said there should be no room for any compromise on initiating steps to curb the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor.
CM visits Chengalpattu GH
Mr. Stalin also visited the Chengalpattu Government Hospital and enquired about the health of those admitted in the facility after consumption of spurious liquor.
Published - May 15, 2023 06:58 pm IST
