VILLUPURAM/CHENNAI: The toll in the hooch tragedy increased to 17 with six more people dying in Marakkanam and one more person succumbing to the spurious concoction in Madurantakam GH on Monday. Chief Minister M K Stalin said the investigation into the tragedy would be transferred to the CB-CID. While Villupuram police superintendent N Shreenatha, Villupuram Prohibition Enforcement Wing (PEW) DSP Pajany and Chengalpattu PEW DSP Duraipandian were suspended on Monday, Chengalpattu SP A Pradeep was transferred. Kallakurichi SP N Mohanraj will hold additional charge as Villupuram SP.
The CM on Monday also announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of those who died in Madurantakam, similar to the relief announced for Marakkanam victims on Sunday. Stalin, who visited the Government Medical College Hospital in Mundiyampakkam on Monday afternoon and inquired about the treatment being provided to the victims, told doctors to offer them best possible medical care.
The CM said 44 people were undergoing treatment at Government Villupuram Medical College Hospital, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), and Puducherry Government Hospital. “During probe, it was found the accused had used methanol. They have been arrested,” Stalin said
Methanol found in liquor in Chengalpattu, officials will be pulled up: CM
“IN the Chengalpattu incident too it has been found that methanol was mixed with Tasmac liquor and sold. Stringent action will be taken against officials who failed to prevent such illegal activities,” the CM said. The CM also held a meeting with collectors and SPs of Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Chengalpattu districts.
M Vijayan (48), D Kesavavelu (70), S Vijyan (45), C Abraham (47), G Sarathkumar (40) of Ekkiyarkuppam, and E Sankar (55) from Marakanam died without responding to treatment at Government Villupuram Medical College Hospital on Monday. Meanwhile, the last rites of six victims who died on Saturday night and Sunday were held at Ekkiyarkuppam village on Monday.
A strong contingent of police personnel was deployed at Ekkiyarkuppam and Marakanam. Meanwhile, five more suspects were apprehended by special police teams in Marakkanam and Madurantakam on Monday. The arrested were identified as V Muthu (35), A Arumugam (40), and A Ravi (42) of Mariamman Koil Street in Marakanam, police sources said.
In Madurantakam, two suspected accomplices of Ammavasai (40), who was arrested on Sunday, were arrested by a special police team on Monday. Ammavasai, who also drank the concoction, is currently under treatment. In Chengalpattu, a man identified as Mariappan (65) who was under treatment at the government hospital died on Monday, taking the death toll of Madurantakam victims to five.
Why is methanol hazardous
illicit liquor has high levels of methanol which is hazardous and leads to various health problems, including blindness and even death. This is the reason behind most hooch tragedies. Initial symptoms of methanol include headaches, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath, depending on the amount of methanol. It mainly affects the central nervous system.
Most victims of hooch tragedies lose vision even with ingestion of small amounts of methanol. Methanol is metabolised into formaldehyde and formic acid by the body. These toxins can also cause seizure and multiple organ failure leading to death.
SP suspended, new DIG for Villupuram
Villupuram SP N Shreenatha was suspended and Chengalpattu SP A Pradeep has been transferred. Ziaul Haque, DIG, CB-CID, has been posted as DIG of the Villupuram Range