Hooch claims 21 lives

By S. Shivakumar

CHENNAI, OCT. 6. In yet another hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu, 21 persons including two women died this morning, after consuming illicit arrack at Kottur village, near Red Hills, about 25 km north of Chennai.

Fortyfive others were admitted to two government hospitals. The condition of most of them is stated to be critical.

This is the second tragedy in the city's neighbourhood within four weeks. Exactly a month ago, 10 persons died after consuming a killer brew at Meenambedu at Ambattur here.

Today's victims were casual labourers who consumed the brew sold locally last night. They started vomiting and complained of giddiness and severe stomach ache early today.

In all 52 persons were brought to the Stanley Medical College Hospital, and of them 11 were declared `dead on arrival'. Nine died later. Fourteen victims were brought to the Government General Hospital; one of whom one died at night.

Seller-couple absconding

A couple, Parthiban and Kasthuri, suspected to have sold the illicit arrack, absconded and the villagers, in a fit of rage, ransacked their home.

A pall of gloom descended on Kottur, as most of the 300 families in the area are related to one another. It wore a deserted look with most of the villagers rushing to the hospitals with the victims.

The villagers alleged that though there was no distillation on the spot, liquor flowed freely in the area with tacit approval by the local police. They pointed out that some constables continued to serve at the local Red Hills police station for long. A local youth, Madasamy, alleged that as most of the families were related, they preferred to remain silent on the illicit arrack problem as any protest would lead to a family squabble. Moreover, it was a lucrative business and any protest would lead to problems among the families.

Interestingly, those who had consumed upto two glasses of the killer brew were not affected, according to the villagers. ``Only those who drank more than two glasses died or were taken ill'', they said.

Another local resident, Velu, confirming this, claimed that ``I drank two glasses of the same brew, but nothing happened to me. There are several villagers who drank it in limited quantity, but have not been affected'' he said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrack sellers had mixed a chemical with the brew to increase the intoxication level and this reportedly led to the tragedy.

The Stanley Medical College Hospital Dean, Dr. C. Ravindranath, said the medical examination revealed that none of the survivors complained of any vision defect. They showed symptoms of neuro- muscular paralysis for which they were being given drugs and assisted with respiratory devices. A team of doctors was taking care of the patients.

The ADGP (law and order), Mr. K. Natarajan, said the case was under investigation and action would be taken against police personnel, if they were at fault. Special teams had been formed to trace the culprits, according to the ADGP (PEW), Mr. Paramvir Singh.

The police are also investigating a complaint by some of the villagers that a can of the killer brew was taken to a neighbouring village by a group who had come to attend a betrothal function at Kottur last evening.

Expressing shock and grief, the Chief Minister, Mr. O. Paneerselvam, granted a solatium of Rs. 25,000 each to the families of those killed in the tragedy. A sum of Rs. 10,000 would be given to each of those undergoing treatment in hospital.

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