The death toll from the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu has increased to 53, with three additional deaths reported due to the consumption of toxic liquor in Karunapuram. Among the deceased were five women and a transperson.
According to The Hindu’s report, the distribution of deaths is as follows: 29 people died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital, 17 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in Salem, four at the Government Villupuram Medical College Hospital, and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry.
Currently, 141 individuals, including five women, are receiving treatment at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital, as well as in government medical college hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jipmer in Puducherry.
On 22 June 2024, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin conducted a video conference with District Collectors and the District Superintendent of Police to review the actions taken to combat illicit liquor.
Following the BJP and AIADMK’s call for a CBI inquiry into the hooch tragedy, PMK founder S. Ramadoss also urged for the investigation to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation, emphasizing the need to prosecute police officials who support the illegal trade.
Police in the Central Zone, covering nine districts, filed 342 prohibition cases on June 19 and 20, with Thanjavur district reporting the highest number of cases. Authorities are taking strict measures against those selling illegal liquor and those involved in its hoarding and smuggling, according to a police press release.
Madurai District Collector M.S. Sangeetha led a meeting with officials to prevent any attempts at brewing or selling illicit liquor through joint efforts of the district administration and police.
The Mayiladuthurai district administration has provided phone numbers for the public to report the sale of spurious liquor or banned tobacco products via calls and WhatsApp messages.
In light of the rising deaths, the Opposition parties and individuals on social media have been slamming the DMK government with the hashtag #StalinMassacre.
“Stalin is more Dangerous than Karunanidhi”
அப்ப புரியல இப்ப புரியுது🥱#StalinMassacre pic.twitter.com/QfkWrMcTMn
— Bagavath Pratheep (@Bagavathprathee) June 22, 2024
சாராய கடையை ஒழித்தால் மட்டுமே எங்கள் பிரச்சனைக்கான தீர்வு கிடைக்கும், திராவிடர்களுக்கு எங்கே புரிய போகிறது ஏழை மக்களின் அழுகுரல்.
“அவனும் அடிக்கி பழகி கொண்டான்
மக்களும் அடங்கி பழகி கொண்டார்கள்”#StalinMassacre pic.twitter.com/y5JtEAuW9S— Bagavath Pratheep (@Bagavathprathee) June 21, 2024
போனது இரண்டு உயிர்கள் அல்ல
அந்த குழந்தைகளின் வாழ்க்கை 💔#StalinMassacre pic.twitter.com/yFGNYRiQCB
— ஷிபின் Shibin (@Shibin_twitz) June 22, 2024
இந்த வீடியோவுகாக தான் கொத்தடிமைஸ் சாட்டைய அடிச்சிருக்கானுங்க 😂🔥#StalinMassacre pic.twitter.com/vbW3c5KHhA
— ஷிபின் Shibin (@Shibin_twitz) June 22, 2024
கொடைக்கானல் போகத் தெரிஞ்ச முதல்வருக்கு
கள்ளக்குறிச்சி போகத் தெரியாதா?!??
ஏழை உயிர்கள்னா
அவ்வளோ இளக்காரமா?!!#stalinmassacre #சாராயமாடல்_திமுக pic.twitter.com/dvdPWX17j6— Sumathi Megavarnam Pillai ( மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@Sumamega) June 22, 2024
On 21 June 2024, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to explain why the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. Justices D. Krishnakumar and K. Kumaresh Babu questioned whether the authorities had learned from previous incidents and implemented any preventive measures to avoid such tragedies.
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