A political firestorm has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the tragic deaths of 47 people in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The incident has fueled widespread anger and accusations of negligence, with families of the deceased alleging that illicit liquor was readily available in the town’s prime areas. The incident has also led to a political slugfest, with the opposition AIADMK demanding a thorough investigation and holding the ruling party accountable.
Following the tragedy, the Kallakurichi District Collector, Sravankumar Jatavath, was replaced by MS Prashanth. The state government has also ordered an inquiry by the Crime Branch, Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID), and Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced financial assistance for the victims’ families, offering ₹10 lakh to the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those undergoing treatment.
The incident unfolded after 165 individuals were admitted to hospitals in Kallakurichi, JIPMER, Salem, and Mundiambakkam after consuming spurious liquor, with their condition deteriorating rapidly. The death toll has tragically reached 47, with at least 30 people still in critical condition. While three affected individuals have recovered, 118 remain under treatment.
In a bid to curb the sale of illicit arrack, special teams have been deployed in the district, according to Kallakurichi District Collector Prasanth M S. The AIADMK members attempted to raise the issue in the Tamil Nadu Assembly during the Question Hour, leading to their mass eviction. However, the Speaker later reversed the ruling, allowing the opposition members to participate in the proceedings after Chief Minister Stalin appealed for their inclusion.
Further intensifying the political pressure, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging a CBI enquiry into the tragic incident. Meanwhile, Justice Gokuldas, who is heading the one-man commission investigating the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, visited the Kallakurichi government hospital to meet the victims. Three individuals – Govindaraj, Damadoran, and Vijaya – have been arrested in connection with the case and remanded to 15 days of judicial custody at the Cudallore Central prison.
The Kallakurichi hooch tragedy has left a deep scar on the state, highlighting the critical need for stringent measures to curb the sale of illicit liquor and ensure the safety of citizens. The ongoing political debate surrounding the incident further underscores the gravity of the situation and the demands for accountability in the face of such a tragic loss of life.
