At least 34 people are reported to have died, and one hundred were hospitalized by the side of consuming spurious liquor that was barred in the Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu. The Wednesday event has not taken state authorities much time to take action.
Four people have been arrested in connection to the tragedy, and very sick patients moved to Salem, Tiruvannamalai, and Puducherry hospitals. Leaders and governments do say more people may perish in the process but do warn that they may die in the process.
MK Stalin, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, was taken aback by the incident and suggested that a Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) probe be launched. The state government has transferred the Kallakurichi district collector and dismissed the superintendent of police & nine OtheRS police officers.
To address the on-going crisis, various senior ministers have been moved around to help affected families. The ruling AIADMK Party has turned to the Madras High Court, urging it to consider the issue an extreme emergency.
Many suggestions were made about implementing more stringent measures to control the menace of fake and spurious liquors in the state. Governor RN Ravi wanted authorities to implement stronger measures again on illicit distillation and consumption of country liquor.
While prevention agencies continue to investigate cases that may occur again, the incident highlights the danger that fake alcohol poses and the importance of regulation.
