Tragedy in Tamil Nadu: 29 Dead from Toxic Liquor in Kallakurichi District

The investigation has been transferred to the CB-CID.

Chennai: In a heartbreaking incident, 29 individuals have lost their lives after consuming toxic liquor in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district, approximately 250 km from the state capital, Chennai. Over the past few days, at least 68 others who also consumed the tainted liquor have been hospitalized. Of these, 18 have been transferred to JIPMER in Puducherry, and six to the Medical College and Hospital in Salem.

The majority of the victims hailed from the Karunapuram area. A grieving mother shared her agony, recounting how her son suffered from severe stomach pain and vision problems after consuming arrack. "At first, the hospital declined to admit him, claiming he was intoxicated. The state government should close all liquor shops," she lamented. Another mother expressed similar distress, stating, "My son endured unbearable stomach pain and lost his ability to see and hear. This tragedy must not be repeated. Stop selling liquor."

Authorities have arrested a suspected bootlegger and detained two others in connection with the incident. A senior police officer confirmed to NDTV that the deaths resulted from toxic liquor consumption. "We are investigating the exact substance they consumed. Three individuals have been taken into custody. At least three of the four deceased had consumed liquor supplied privately, not from government-run shops," the officer said.

The state government reported that 26 people had ingested arrack from packets, and forensic tests confirmed the presence of poisonous methanol. In response, the government suspended district police chief Samay Singh Meena, replacing him with Rajat Chaturvedi. Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath was also replaced by MS Prasanth. Additionally, a Deputy Superintendent of Police from the prohibition enforcement wing, three inspectors, and three sub-inspectors were suspended. The investigation has been transferred to the CB-CID.

Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his sorrow and shock over the loss of lives on social media platform X. He stated, "The accused have been arrested. Actions have been taken against officials who failed to prevent this. We will crack down with an iron hand. If the public reports such perpetrators, action will be taken." He has dispatched Health Minister Ma Subramaniam and another minister to Kallakurichi to ensure all necessary medical assistance is provided to the affected individuals.

The tragedy came to light yesterday after three people died in separate locations over the past three days. Initially, District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath denied that the deaths were related to toxic liquor, attributing the deaths to unrelated causes. He had stated, "These deaths occurred over three days. One was a teetotaler, and another had a stomach issue. No one died in the hospital or came in intoxicated. During the commotion, someone mentioned illicit liquor, and it spread. We are investigating."

This incident highlights a significant failure of intelligence agencies and the prohibition enforcement wing. Last year, 22 people in Tamil Nadu died after consuming methanol. AIADMK chief and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami criticized the ruling DMK for failing to address the toxic liquor problem despite previous warnings. "I urge Chief Minister MK Stalin to take stringent action against toxic liquor instead of wordplay like last time when they called it methanol and not toxic liquor," he said.

State BJP chief K Annamalai accused the DMK of not learning from last year's tragedy that claimed 22 lives due to toxic liquor consumption. Governor RN Ravi, who has had several confrontations with the ruling party, expressed serious concern on X, stating, "This reflects continuing lapses in preventing the production and consumption of illicit liquor."