Tamil Nadu BJP protests over Kallakurichi hooch tragedy

Kallakurichi (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 22 : The Tamil Nadu BJP on Saturday staged a protest at the Kallakurichi district collectorate over the hooch tragedy deaths.
However, BJP cadres who came near the Kallakurichi district collector's office to protest were detained.
The death toll in the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy rose from 50 to 53, officials said on Saturday.
Notably, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai had announced a state-wide protest over deaths due to the consumption of illicit liquor in the Kallakurichi district.
Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah, while speaking to ANI, stated that instead of deploying police to destroy the illicit liquor, they are being deployed to prevent the BJP from holding protests over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.
He claimed that the politicians aiding illicit liquor sale are untouched, while namesake collectors and the Superintendent of Police are transferred.
"State government should deploy police to destroy the illicit liquor... (instead) we see thousands of policemen put only to prevent the BJP from holding protests. I don't understand what is the priority of the government. So if your real priority is to destroy the illicit liquor... thousands of policemen have been deployed only to arrest the BJP from protesting... 52 deaths (in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy) but there is no accountability... Politicians who are aiding and abetting this crime are hidden; they are not touched, but collectors and the Superintendent of Police are transferred," he told ANI.
The Director of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, S Ravivarman on Saturday visited Kallakurichi Government Hospital to meet the victims admitted after consuming illicit liquor.
At least 53 people have died and many are under treatment at various hospitals in Tamil Nadu in the wake of the hooch tragedy.
Kallakurichi Superintendent of Police, Rajat Chaturvedi, said that raids are going on in the state over the incident and the police will release a statement soon.
"The CB-CID is taking over the investigation...Victims are better, it's getting better...Raids have been going on since yesterday, on this we will be giving a press note," he said.
As per the Kallakurichi Collector seven people have been arrested in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.
"So far, seven people have been arrested in the case. The case has been given to the CBI CID branch of Tamil Nadu Police. The patients are being given best treatment. Special doctors were mobilised in the initial stage. About 56 doctors were brought in from different medical colleges. Many patients who had respiratory problems, have recovered too," the Kallakurichi Collector said.
Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth said that out of the total 193 patients who consumed illicit liquor, 140 are currently safe.
"193 people who have consumed illicit liquor have come to the hospital. Out of which 193, 140 are currently safe, while a few of them are on ventilators. Right now, 53 people have passed away," he said.
The Tamil Nadu government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragedy. The inquiry will be led by retired Madras High Court judge Justice B Gokuldas. Justice Gokuldas will submit a report within three months.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased victims, and Rs 50,000 each for the persons under treatment.
The CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam.
Victims are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital and in hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry.