Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Actor Vijay condoles loss of lives, blames DMK government

Chennai: Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Thalapathy Vijay condoled the tragic deaths of 34 individuals in Kallakurichi district due to illicit liquor consumption, describing the incident as "shocking and heartbreaking."

Sixty people are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

Taking to Twitter, Vijay stated, "The news of over 25 people losing their lives after consuming fake liquor in Karunapuram area of Kallakurichi district is shocking and heartbreaking."

He criticized the government administration for what he perceived as indifference and urged the Tamil Nadu government to implement stringent preventive measures.

"The recurrence of such incidents indicates the indifference of the government administration, especially after similar tragedies last year," Vijay remarked.

"I strongly urge the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate and stringent precautionary measures to prevent such incidents in the future," he emphasized.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin confirmed the rising death toll and announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those undergoing medical treatment.

Stalin further declared the formation of an inquiry commission to investigate the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy and provide a comprehensive report.

In response to the incident, the state government transferred District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath and suspended Superintendent of Police Samay Singh Meena, appointing MS Prasanth and Rajat Chaturvedi as their replacements.

The incident has also sparked a political controversy, with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami criticizing the ruling DMK government and demanding Chief Minister MK Stalin's resignation.

"The news of lives lost due to illicit liquor consumption in Kallakurichi has deeply saddened me," Palaniswami expressed in a social media post. ANI