Chennai (IANS) | The death toll in the spurious liquor incident in Tamil Nadu has risen to 18. Twelve people died in Marakkanam in Villupuram district, while six people died in Chengalpattu district.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin visited the spot on Monday and announced a CB-CID probe into the matter. Several local police officers have been suspended in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts.
The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the family of each of the deceased, while Rs 50,000 has been approved for those hospitalized after consuming spurious liquor.
As per preliminary investigation, it was found that the incident took place at Marakkanam in Villupuram district when some people consumed local liquor. However, the alcohol that caused the death in Chengalpattu district was diluted with methanol.
AIADMK General Secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) will visit the area on Tuesday.
Talking to the media persons, EPS said that the liquor scandal is a clear indication of the failure of law and order in the state.
He said no one died due to consumption of spurious liquor during the 10-year tenure of the previous AIADMK government.
The former chief minister said this was due to the efficient handling of the law and order situation in the state during the AIADMK rule.
EPS, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, said that during the last assembly session, he had informed the government about the availability of spurious liquor in various areas of the state.
–IANS
