News Tamil Nadu

“We Don’t Want Free Rice, Just Close Down The Liquor Shops”, Elderly Woman In Anguish Falls At ADMK Leader EPS’s feet

June 20, 2024
The Commune

Grief hangs heavily over Kallakurichi in Tamil Nadu following a tragic hooch incident that has claimed the lives of at least 37 people, with fears that the toll may rise further. Nearly 100 people were also hospitalized. 

In response to the tragedy, Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), the Opposition Leader and AIADMK General Secretary, visited the bereaved families on 20 June 2024. Accompanied by former Minister CV Shanmugam and others, he paid his respects to the deceased and consoled their relatives. Witnessing the anguish of the families, some women fell at his feet, tearfully pleading for the closure of all liquor (TASMAC) shops, rejecting any compensatory and financial aid measures. This emotional scene momentarily moved Edappadi Palaniswami.

Women falling at the feet of EPS cried and said, “The little kids have started to drink alcohol, please close the liquor shops. We don’t want free rice. Close liquor shops.”

Later, he visited those undergoing treatment in hospitals after consuming the illicit liquor. Addressing the media, he expressed profound sorrow over the deaths, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He criticized the administration for allowing such illicit activities to thrive near key government offices, suggesting a significant organized effort behind the illegal liquor trade. This incident underscores the urgent need for stringent action against the perpetrators and raises questions about local governance and law enforcement in Kallakurichi.

Local residents, particularly women, expressed their distressing situation, stating, “Since yesterday, we haven’t slept. What for and why?… All these days, they drank all these days, we all have been watching his. Even we don’t know but there is an accomplice here … One of the reasons for the sale is the supply comes from elsewhere, and who brews it is crucial. This is one of the reasons, only because it comes from there, and the government allows it, they are doing it courageously. They don’t brew and sell it privately. It comes from there; do you know where? They say it comes from the mountains, here and there. But because it comes from there, it has caused so many deaths.”

Later, she also expressed disappointment, saying, “We are ADMK loyalists but after Amma (Jayalalithaa’s death), we trusted Stalin and helped him win, but we can’t believe such things are happening even under his administration. People of low morals are using his name to carry out these activities.” Another woman intervened, blaming the police, said: “Even after we complained, why haven’t they taken any action? Who is responsible for this? The police are entirely responsible for this.” The first woman continued, questioning, “When we complain to the police, how do the accused know our names? How does news get to them? It is because they are also involved.”

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