News Tamil Nadu

Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: Locals Allege Rampant Police Connivance In Illicit Liquor Trade Enabling Access To Minors

June 20, 2024
The Commune

The state of Tamil Nadu is stunned by the news of the hooch tragedy in Karunapuram village in Kallakurichi. At least 37 people are reported to have died and around 116 people have been hospitalised. The case was handed over to the CB-CID on 19 June 2024.

Streets of the Karunapuram village were filled with the dead bodies of the victims on 20 June 2024 with relatives mourning for everyone who had passed.

New SPs and IAS have been appointed in the region to investigate the matter. It is alleged that there are similarities between the hooch tragedy that occurred in Chengelpet in 2023 which saw 22 deaths.

Local residents mourning the deaths of their family and friends allege that the illicit liquor peddlers have been functioning with the connivance of the police. They also demand the government to curb the sale of illicit liquor in their locality.

When enquired with the newly appointed Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prashant regarding the connivance of the police with the arrack sellers, he stated that the matter was under investigation.

Kallakurichi Superintendent of Police Rajat R Chaturvedi also stated similarly that since he had been appointed just recently, he was unaware of the details of the matter and promised to look into the allegations.

Women mourning the passing of their loved ones stated that it was the younger people of the village who were addicted to liquor who had fallen prey to the illicit liquor. They also alleged that any complaints made to the police by the local villagers about illegal liquor operations resulted in their private information being disclosed to the illegal liquor mafia by the police.

Additionally, the woman alleged that the police officers who were supposedly involved were suspended from work, but to her, it felt like they had gone on a vacation and were on rest. They also alleged that whether they are transferred to another location, they will continue doing the same work. She alleged that the police department’s lackadaisical attitude towards illicit liquor peddlers has led the village to this state today. She also alleged that in Jayalalithaa’s tenure, such issues were dealt with with an iron fist.

It is alleged that the illicit liquor peddlers had pasted CM Stalin’s photo on their home doors to avoid police action.

Who Are The Victims Of The Hooch Tragedy?

A lady in this video alleges that any person who questioned the illicit liquor peddlers would be attacked. It is said that the victims all belonged to the SC category and no elected official came to visit the families. Only the Tahsildar was doing some work. The tragic illicit liquor incident in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district has shed light on a disturbing trend involving minors and the apparent complicity of corrupt officials. According to the lady in the video, boys aged 13-15 have been consuming spurious liquor delivered door-to-door in plastic packets resembling water pouches by peddlers on motorbikes. The situation is further exacerbated by the presence of drug abuse among these young individuals in the area.

Compounding the issue are allegations of corruption within the local police force, with claims that officers have been accepting bribes and turning a blind eye to complaints regarding the illicit liquor trade.

The lady said, “Even if the police come on rounds to the village, as they hear the sound of the police vehicle/whistle, the peddlers are alerted. They pretend to apprehend one or two peddlers and take them aside, accept money, and let go of the apprehended peddlers.”

She further adds, “They have to put a stop to this liquor trade. We expected problems to arise once the DMK party returned to power in the state. Police have never come here to ask for bribes (mamool), nor have they controlled them (peddlers). They (peddlers) proudly say we are paying mamool so the police will not be able to do anything to us.” She further said, “There is a court, a police station nearby, even a Collector. yet no one came here or any action was taken despite presenting a memorandum.” It is also alleged that there is not just one peddler but many and also from outside the village who come to Karunapuram to sell the illicit liquor.

The incident has sparked calls for accountability and stringent action against those involved in the illicit liquor trade, as well as demands for measures to address the underlying issues contributing to the consumption of spurious alcohol and drug abuse among minors in the region.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.