As the death toll in the hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district climbed to 53 on Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded the resignation of the state Prohibition and Excise Minister S Muthusamy with immediate effect. BJP alleged that instead of taking action on this “state-sponsored murder”, the Chief Minister MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government is shielding the “villains of this ghastly crime”.
According to Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth, out of the total 193 patients who consumed illicit liquor, 140 are currently safe.
“193 people who have consumed illicit liquor were taken to the hospital. Out of which 193, 140 are currently safe, while a few of them are on ventilators. Right now, 53 people have passed away,” he said.
“So far, seven people have been arrested in the case. The case has been given to the CBI CID branch of Tamil Nadu Police. The patients are being given the best treatment. Special doctors were mobilised in the initial stage. About 56 doctors were brought in from different medical colleges. Many patients who had respiratory problems have recovered too,” the Kallakurichi Collector said.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the deaths in Kallakurichi in Tamil Nadu, 250 litres of illicit liquor were seized and disposed off in the state’s Tiruchirapalli district.
BJP Demands DMK Minister’s Resignation
Addressing media, BJP leader Anil Antony said, “BJP first of all, as a party demands the resignation of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition and Excise Minister S Muthusamy with immediate effect. However, here the responsibility is not just for one person… BJP also request the CM to look into the prohibition policy.”
Antony said the Tamil Nadu BJP has announced Rs 1 lakh as compensation to each family and demanded a CBI inquiry into the case.
On the other hand, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla stressed that out of 53 people who lost their lives, the majority of them are youth.
“A state-sponsored murder for which the DMK government is solely responsible. But instead of taking action on this state-sponsored murder, DMK continues to shield the villains of this ghastly crime. DMK means D for Do Nothing, M for Muzzle Everyone and K for Kill Everyone through illicit liquor,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Govt’s Action So Far
Meanwhile, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families who had lost their loved ones.
In a statement, he also said the government has also appointed a one-man commission under retired High Court Justice B. Gokuldas to look into the issue and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. He said the orders have been issued to pay Rs 10 lakh to the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 out of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to those getting treated in the hospitals.
He said four persons have been arrested in this connection and action will also be taken against those who had supplied methanol for making the illicit liquor.
The CM said the CBCID (Crime Branch-CID) has been asked to investigate the source of methanol.
According to him, action has been taken against the police officials concerned and the District Collector has been transferred. Meanwhile, Stalin’s son and Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the affected people in the hospital and later distributed the Rs.10 lakh compensation to the families who had lost their loved ones.
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