Kallakurichi Hooch Incident: 61 Lives lost

After drinking poisonous liquor in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district, more than 60 lives were lost, and nearly 136 others are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the district. The catastrophic incident shocked the locals and raised severe questions to authorities about the manufacturing and distribution of illegal alcohol in the region.

The incident came to light after several individuals from the village began to fall sick after drinking locally brewed alcohol on June 18. Reports indicate that most victims belong to marginalised communities who are buying alcohol from local unauthorised vendors covertly operating in the area. The illicit liquor was a concussion of deadly methanol chemicals and other toxins, which quickly led to severe intoxication and subsequent fatalities.

 

 

Loss of Lives and actions

So far, 61 people lost their lives, and 136 individuals, including five women, are undergoing treatment in hospitals. As many as 28 persons, including two women and a transperson, have been discharged so far. The local community is raging from the sudden deaths of loved ones and demanding justice for their losses. In contrast, local administrative authorities initiated the investigation to identify the culprit in the probe.

After being alerted of the rise in casualties in a short period, authorities responded swiftly and began to transport patients to nearby hospitals and provide medical facilities. However, the critical question is how a concoction of deadly chemicals traded freely in the area despite the incident of 22 deaths in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts in May last year after consuming the methanol-laced brew.

Political Stand on the Hooch

On Tuesday, June 25, DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakant demanded an investigation by the Central Bureau of an inquiry into the tragedy and bashed the CM for not visiting the bereaved families of victims. She also demanded that the Minister for Excise and Prohibition, S. Muthusamy, take moral responsibility for the death and resign from the leadership.

The Governor of Tamil Nadu, R.N. Ravi, also registered his dissatisfaction over the rampant issue of drug abuse and illicit liquor in the state and launched a united front campaign to fight against the use of illegal liquor and drug abuse in the state on the eve of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. During the launch, the Governor stated, “The government and society must come together and fight drugs with resolve. No party politics must be involved in this. This fight is beyond it.”.

 

In conclusion, the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy reminds us of the insane damages of consuming illicit liquor and the requirement for urgent action to prevent such disasters in future. Currently, authorities are under pressure to arrest the culprits involved in the production and distribution of illicit alcohol. This notion has shaken the nation’s conscience and ignited a demand for justice and accountability.

 

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