Kishor Makwana Criticizes Tamil Nadu Government After Hooch Tragedy Claims 63 Lives
In Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, the Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Kishor Makwana, met with the families of victims of a hooch tragedy that has claimed 63 lives. He criticized the Tamil Nadu government for not taking action against the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor in the state.
Makwana offered his condolences to the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment. He stated, “I offer my condolences to the deceased in the hooch tragedy and pray for the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment. We met the kin of the deceased.”
Makwana highlighted that the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor had been ongoing in the area for a long time, but the administration and government did not pay attention. He noted that last year, 23 people lost their lives in a similar tragedy in the state, with most of the deceased belonging to the SC/ST community.
He demanded jobs, homes, and education allowances for the victim families, stating, “The deceased were all very poor and the only earning members of their families. Their families should be given jobs, homes, and education allowance for their children. The commission demands strict action to ensure such incidents are not repeated.”
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident and issued notices to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and the Director-General of state police, seeking a detailed report within a week.
Earlier, a three-member delegation of the National Commission for Women (NCW), led by Khushbu Sundar, visited the families of victims. The NCW had taken suo moto cognizance of a media report on the deaths and constituted an inquiry committee to look into the matter. Khushbu Sundar stated that she would submit the inquiry report and urged for a CBI investigation.
According to the Kallakurichi District Collectorate, the death toll has risen to 63. Currently, 88 people are undergoing treatment, with 47 admitted to the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital. Other hospitals treating victims include JIPMER Puducherry, Salem Medical College, Villupuram Medical College, Royapettah Greater Hospital in Chennai, and Sri Sanjeevi Hospital. The total number of people affected by the consumption of illicit liquor has now increased to 225.
