Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: Police nab supplier behind deadly liquor in Tamil Nadu

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: The police have arrested Chinnadurai, a key suspect in the toxic liquor tragedy in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi, reports say. He is believed to have supplied the deadly liquor to Karunapuram, the village where over 55 residents have died due to its consumption.

Ongoing Tragedy in Karunapuram

Every day, new deaths are reported from the Karunapuram village, as many people are still being treated since the incident earlier this week.

By last evening, the bodies of 29 victims had been returned to their families for cremation or burial, according to District Collector Prasanth MS.

“Three men have recovered, but many others are still in critical condition,” Prasanth MS said on Friday.

Investigation Underway

A one-man commission led by retired Justice B Gokuldas has started investigating the incident. He has three months to submit his report.
In response to the tragedy, the state government has suspended several police officers and transferred the District Collector.

Three known bootleggers with criminal histories were also arrested after the incident.

Political Reactions

Chief Minister MK Stalin has vowed to crack down on the illegal liquor trade. However, the Opposition has demanded his resignation.

AIADMK chief E Palaniswami called Mr. Stalin «incompetent,» while state BJP chief K Annamalai suggested the government should close at least a thousand liquor shops in Tamil Nadu.

Inputs from agencies