The number of fatalities from the hooch tragedy in Kallakuruchi has risen to 42 as of 20 june 2024, with more than 80 individuals still receiving treatment in hospitals across Kallakuruchi and nearby districts. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has tasked a single-member commission led by former High Court Judge B. Gokuldas to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Simultaneously, the CB-CID has assumed responsibility for another investigation into the matter.
In this backdrop, BJP state president Annamalai visited the families of those who tragically passed away from consuming illicit liquor in Kallakurichi, offering his condolences. Annamalai later addressed the media, expressing concern over the incident and stating, “The families affected by the consumption of illicit liquor will receive assistance through central government schemes. Tamil Nadu BJP will provide a relief of ₹1 lakh to each victim’s family. Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted me regarding this tragic incident, and a detailed report will be submitted.” Highlighting the issue of liquor sales, Annamalai emphasized, “It is concerning that such sales occurred not in villages but in the heart of the district capital. The ease of availability of illicit liquor is alarming. Those who lost their lives were daily wage earners who cannot afford expensive Tasmac liquor daily, thus resorting to cheaper alternatives.”
Regarding this matter, Annamalai has formally requested a CBI investigation by writing a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, Annamalai’s correspondence read, “It is with deep pain and grief that I write to your good office on behalf of BJP Tamil Nadu about the recent hooch tragedy at Karunapuram in the Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu that has claimed 36 invaluable lives while I write to you. Over 90 persons are being treated in various government hospitals; it is feared that the death toll may increase further.”
“We want to inform your good office that a similar incident that occurred in May 2023 in Marakkanam of Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district and Chengalpattu district claimed 23 precious lives. In the past two years, Tamil Nadu has lost over 60 lives to hooch because of the ineffective governance of the DMK government. It is learnt from reliable sources that the production and sale of illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu is happening at the behest of party functionaries and cadres belonging to the DMK, where points of sale of such liquor are located near judicial courts, police stations, and other government offices. The families of the deceased in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy claim that the sale of illicit liquor happened in the prime areas of the town. It is evident that the sale of illicit liquor is done in full public view with the knowledge of the local police, who operate under the direction of local political leaders belonging to the DMK,” it added
“Considering the dire state of governance in Tamil Nadu under the DMK rule, on behalf of BJP Tamil Nadu, we kindly request your good office to order a CBI enquiry on this matter as we firmly believe that the DMK Government will curtail the State Police’s from bringing all the persons responsible for the deaths before the court of law,” it further read.
On behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu, we kindly request our Hon Home Minister Thiru @AmitShah avl to order a CBI enquiry into the deaths caused by illicit liquor in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu & all the persons responsible for the death of innocent lives be brought before the court of law. pic.twitter.com/2mNCeVp1bF
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) June 20, 2024
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