The death toll in tragic hooch tragedy in Kallakuruchi increased to 59 on Tuesday as over 150 persons are still under treatment at hospitals in Kallakuruchi and neighbouring districts. CB-CID made fresh arrests in the case and 21 persons have been arrested to date.
According to reports, 111 persons are undergoing treatment at Kallakuruchi government hospital, 12 persons at JIPMER-Puducherry, 29 persons at Salem government hospital and four persons at Villupuram hospital. According to officials, the bodies of 55 persons have been handed over to their kin after due formalities.
Most of them who consumed the spurious liquor were daily wage labourers who had brought it from a local liquor seller Govindraj. Govindraj has been arrested. Around 200 litres of liquor was recovered from him. On analysis, the lab reports suggest that methanol was added to the liquor which led to the tragedy.
Meanwhile, legislators of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were suspended from the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday for creating a ruckus in the house demanding discussion on the hooch tragedy. AIADMK tried to raise the issue once again during the Question Hour at the start of the proceedings on Tuesday and remaining steadfast over the demand, Speaker M. Appavu ordered for their eviction.