Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has ordered a compensation of Rs.
In a statement issued in this regard, I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news that 34 persons have died due to consumption of alcohol mixed with methanol in Karunapuram Colony, Kallakurichi District, Kallakurichi Circle. In this incident, special treatment has been given to those who are suffering from health problems and the Hon’ble Minister of Highways and Public Works Mr. A. V. Velu and Hon’ble Minister of Medical and People’s Welfare Mr. Ma. Subramanian were sent yesterday to meet and console the victims.
Following this, the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development also went to Kallakurichi today. So far, four persons have been arrested in connection with the sale of liquor. Further, serious investigation will be conducted and especially those who supplied methanol to make poison will be identified and strict action will be taken against them. In connection with this incident, immediate action has been taken against the concerned police officers and the district head has also been transferred. Further, the case has been handed over to CBCID for investigation and appropriate action.
In this situation, I express my deepest condolence and condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased and I have ordered to pay ten lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased and fifty thousand rupees each from the Chief Minister’s General Relief Fund. In connection with this incident, today, in consultation with the officers including the Minister, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director of Police, Additional Director of Police (Prohibition Enforcement Unit), Prohibition and Prohibition Department officers, Kallakurichi District Collector and District Superintendent of Police, I request that the following steps be taken immediately. I have ordered them.
I have directed that all those involved in the production and sale of methanol mixed with poison should be immediately arrested and steps should be taken to fully identify the presence of methanol used in the incident, seize and destroy it. I have also directed the police to find out the source of the methanol used in the production of poison. As far as the Department of Medicine and Public Welfare is concerned, I have directed that the health of the persons admitted to Kallakurichy Government Hospital, Pondicherry Jipmar Hospital, Salem and Villupuram Hospitals should be monitored regularly and that special treatment should be provided to them there.
The Home Principal Secretary and the Director of Police will immediately visit Kallakurichi district and investigate the incident and submit a report within two days. I have ordered to set up a one-man commission under the chairmanship of Mr. P. Gokuldas, a retired High Court judge, to carry out a complete investigation into this incident in Kallakurichi district, to find out all the factors that led to this incident, to advise the government on the measures to be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again in Tamil Nadu in the future. The commission said it would conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident and submit its recommendations within three months.
