Kallakurichi (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 24 (ANI): The leaders of the AIADMK party held a protest in Kallakurichi district on Monday against the DMK-led state government regarding the hooch tragedy, which claimed 57 lives.
The protest was headed by Tamil Nadu Opposition Party leader and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami.
The protest was held opposite the VAS Marriage Hall, Salem Main Road, Kallakurichi District, in Tamil Nadu.
Hitting out at the state government, Palaniswami said that the medicine they asked for from the health minister is different from what the health minister said.
"Am not like the puppet CM Stalin. The DMK Health Minister, Subramanian, claimed they have stock of the required medicine for treatment; however, the medicine we asked for is different from what the health minister said. We asked whether they have stock of Fomepizole and minister spoke about Omeprazole, which is used for the treatment of ulcer," he said.
"861 cases have been filed, various people have been arrested for selling illicit liquor, and 4657 litres of illicit liquor have been seized. If this incident had not taken place, a large number of victims would have died by drinking this," Palaniswami added.
The LoP further demanded the resignation of CM Stalin and said that the reason behind the sale of illicit liquor is DMK persons.
"The reason behind the sale of illicit liquor is DMK persons. DMK have won 40/40 in parliament so they are doing too much. Stalin has to resign from his post. Tomorrow I and all the AIADMK MlAs are going to meet Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi to give petition on hooch tragedy," he said.
The number of people who died in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor has risen to 57, according to updated information released by the district administration on Monday.
A total of 156 people are undergoing treatment at various Government hospitals in the state after consuming illicit liquor.
A total of 110 people are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College hospital. Twelve people are admitted at Puducherry 20 people are undergoing treatment at Salem and four in Viluppuram government hospitals.
A total of seven people, including five men and two women, who were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor have been discharged, according to Kallakurichi District Magistrate.
So far, 32 people have died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital, 18 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem. Four people have died at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry.
Earlier on Friday, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said the state government will take care of the entire education and hostel expenses of children who have lost either one or both of their parents in the Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy.
The government will provide Rs 5,000 in monthly assistance until the age of 18 for children who have lost both their parents and Rs 5 lakh will be deposited immediately as a fixed deposit in the names of children who have lost both parents, Stalin said.
After the minors turn 18, the amount can be withdrawn with interest, the chief minister said. Similarly, Rs 3 lakh will be deposited as a fixed deposit for children who have lost one parent.
Priority will be given to them in all government welfare schemes, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said.
On the other hand, the CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam. As per the Kallakurichi Collector, seven people have been arrested in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. (ANI)
