The Chief Minister has directed the Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department to conduct a probe into the incident that has sparked significant controversy in Tamil Nadu.
Officials reported that 33 individuals in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district have died after drinking adulterated liquor, purportedly laced with methanol, on Tuesday night. The death toll may increase as many others are in critical condition.
Officials are engaging with a patient receiving treatment following the consumption of adulterated liquor in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu. (PTI Photo)
Though the exact number of individuals receiving treatment in various hospitals has not been confirmed by officials, Chief Minister MK Stalin has taken decisive action by transferring the district collector, suspending the Superintendent of Police, and suspending the entire prohibition wing of the district.
The Chief Minister also directed the CB-CID (Crime Branch, Crime Investigation Department) to investigate the incident, which has sparked significant outrage in Tamil Nadu.
Approximately 70 men, primarily daily wage laborers from Karunapuram colony in Kallakurichi, reportedly drank adulterated liquor sold in packets. The critically ill have been transported to hospitals in Salem, Tiruvannamalai, and Puducherry.
“Initial evidence suggests they consumed illegally sold pocket liquor,” a senior government official stated on Wednesday.
Authorities have apprehended three individuals in relation to the production and distribution of the illegal liquor.
“Approximately 200 liters of adulterated liquor were seized, and laboratory tests confirmed it was mixed with methanol,” the official reported.
Opposition leader and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, along with state sports minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, are forgoing the assembly session to visit Kallakurichi and offer condolences to the families of the deceased.
