Tamil Nadu Hooch Tragedy: 10 Dead; Several Admitted To Hospitals

A total of 10 people have died of drinking hooch (spurious liquor) in two separate instances in the Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts. Three of the dead are women.

Several others have been admitted to nearby hospitals.

The deaths in Marakkanam of Villupuram district are believed to be due to spurious liquor brought from Puducherry. Police have arrested V Amaran, the alleged kingpin and are conducting a search for his associates.

Police personnel alleged to have helped the accused to carry out their activities have like Inspectors Arun Vadivel Azhagan (Marakkanam) and Maria Sobi Manjula (Kottakuppam-Prohibition Enforcement Wing), and Sub-Inspectors Deepan (Marakkanam) and Sivagurunathan (PEW) have been suspended.

The victims displayed symptoms like loss of vision, severe body pain, inability to eat etc.

In Madurantakam of Chengalpattu district, four people belonging to two different families have died. The supplier, Ammavasai, who has been arrested, is believed to have sold industrial spirits containing methanol.

Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50000 for those undergoing treatment.