CB-CID seizes 2,000 litres of Methanol from defunct fuel station in Panruti; one more hooch death in Villupuram

CHENNAI: In a major haul against illicit liquor, CB-CID seized 2,000 litres of methanol from a defunct fuel station near Panruti in Cuddalore district on Wednesday.

The seizure was based on information provided by Mathesh, one of the accused arrested in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy case.

The fuel station was sealed by the authorities and further investigations are on.

Over 60 persons have died so far in Kallakurichi after consuming illicit liquor, which police investigations have revealed to be methanol mixed water.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck in Villupuram district after R Jayaraman, a 65 year old daily wager from Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district died three days after consuming illicit liquor at a hospital.

Two others, who were admitted along with Jayaraman are under treatment, police said.

Both the developments had created a fresh round of political uproar with the opposition AIADMK and PMK condemning the government and blamed the DMK government for the death of Jayaraman.

Leader of the opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami held DMK responsibile for death of Jayaraman and termed that hooch tragedies were due to the failure of the DMK government.

Earlier in the day, police, quoting the hospital authorities ruled out methanol poisoning.

The deceased is a chronic consumer of illicit liquor and considering his age, he had several co-morbidities, police sources said.

Villupuram district police have booked a case under section 41 (a) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition act against Vadalooran alias Murugan, who allegedly smuggled the illicit liquor from Puducherry to Villupuram.

Condemning another hooch death incident in Villupuram district, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss urged the DMK government to resign as it could not curb sales of spurious liquor.

"The incident happened within 10 days after 65 persons died in Karunapuram in Kallakurichi. This shows that the government has not taken any measures to curb the sales of hooch. The government and police claim that raids were conducted to prevent sales. But, hooch was sold near Kallakurichi again, " he added.

He further claimed that Police are spreading false news saying the elderly person died after consuming liquor brought from Puducherry.

Anbumani further demanded that the government transfer hooch death cases to CBI for fair investigation.