Families performing last rites of those died in the hooch tragedy (Image Source: X)
Despite the state government’s refusal to permit a CBI investigation, the death toll from the notorious Kallakurichi illicit liquor tragedy has risen to 56 as of Saturday night. Currently, 159 men and women are receiving treatment in various hospitals. In response to the tragedy, the police have arrested hundreds of BJP members who protested, demanding a CBI probe and the Chief Minister’s resignation, holding him morally responsible.
Tamil Nadu Law Minister S. Regupathy addressed the media on the 22nd, stating, “We are not hiding anything. We are transparent. We have transferred the case to CB-CID and constituted an inquiry commission. Why should there be a CBI probe? There is no need.” He accused the AIADMK of politicising the issue, pointing out that in 2001, the AIADMK did not set up a commission, inquiry, or CB-CID probe following a similar incident in Panruti. Regupathy emphasised the government’s commitment to eradicating illicit liquor with a firm hand. In response to a suggestion by TN BJP chief K. Annamalai about opening toddy shops, Regupathy remarked, “The situation has not arisen to open toddy shops. Let us see later.”
DMK MLAs T. Udhaysuriyan and K. Karthikeyan challenged PMK leaders Dr. S. Ramadoss and Anbumani Ramadoss to prove their claims or quit politics. The PMK leaders had called for the arrest of DMK district secretaries and MLAs for their alleged involvement in the illicit liquor issue. Opposition parties like the BJP and AIADMK argue that the government is avoiding a CBI investigation to protect party members suspected of involvement in illicit liquor production and sales. They demand the resignation of CM Stalin.
BJP leader K. Annamalai told the media, “If no CBI probe, they will break two illicit brew pots and invoke the Goondas Act against innocent persons. They will bury the case like the illicit brew. But we want to uncover the relationship between DMK VIPs and bootleggers who brew illicit liquor. That’s why we are demanding a CBI probe. We are firm on it. No going back. The truth should come out, and those responsible for the deaths should be legally held accountable. A CBI probe is the right way to achieve this.”
During a press briefing in Coimbatore, Annamalai asserted, “DMK leaders are linked with arrack sellers, and a CBI probe should be initiated to reveal the truth. The hooch tragedy will adversely impact the DMK in the Vikravandi bypoll. A BJP committee will meet the Governor tomorrow to submit a petition against the DMK government. The silence of DMK’s alliance partners on the Kallakurichi incident clearly shows they are subservient to the DMK. CM Stalin knows he can’t visit Kallakurichi as people are ready to protest. The National Commission for SC/STs should visit the state.”
As of last night, the death toll in the hooch tragedy has reached 56 and could rise as more patients in critical condition are receiving treatment. Out of 159 patients, 107 are in the Kallakurichi government hospital, 31 in the Salem government hospital, 17 in JIPMER, Puducherry, and four in the Villupuram government hospital. The police have tracked and brought back two of the five patients who escaped from the hospital to Kallakurichi GH. Thirty patients have fully recovered at Kallakurichi GH.
The BJP held protests across Tamil Nadu condemning the hooch deaths and demanding a CBI probe. In Coimbatore, Annamalai led the protest, resulting in the arrest of over 500 party members, including 103 women. They were released after 10 pm. In Chennai, BJP MLA MR Gandhi led a protest involving thousands of party members. The police detained them and held them at a marriage hall, where complaints arose about police misconduct, including rough handling of leaders and inadequate facilities.
In Madurai, senior BJP leader H. Raja and over 100 party members were detained during a protest. Raja condemned the use of police to suppress protests, calling it a sign of the DMK’s fascist regime. In Salem, former MP K.P. Ramalingam reported that over a thousand protesters were arrested before the event began, declaring it a success for their movement. He called for CM Stalin’s immediate resignation, labelling him a “liquor trader.”
In Trichy and other district headquarters, large numbers of BJP functionaries, both men and women, participated in protests.
According to the Tamil Nadu government’s policy note from the Prohibition and Excise Department for 2024-25, revenue from state-run TASMAC liquor outlets reached Rs. 46,855.67 crores in 2023-24, up from Rs. 44,121.13 crores the previous year. The note also mentioned the export of beer to other states and abroad, totalling Rs. 1.88 crore with 3,20,024 cases exported during the year. Without referencing the Kallakurichi tragedy directly, the note stated that the government has taken measures to prevent deaths due to illicit liquor. District SPs have been instructed to inspect all methanol manufacturing units, end users, and industries licensed to possess methanol.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu issued a gag order preventing the media from publishing or broadcasting any discussions related to the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in the assembly, where 56 lives were lost.
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