Dharmapuri (Tamil Nadu): Three people have died after consuming spurious liquor in Tamil Nadu, the police said Sunday. This is the second time since May that spurious liquor has claimed lives in the state.

Over 30 people, who drank the poisonous liquor, have been admitted to government hospitals. Some of them are in serious conditions. Some may even lose their eyesight, police and health officials added.

According to police sources, the hooch was sold by a couple, R. Pachaiyappan and P. Rukmini, in Bommidi, a village 10 km from here. The victims consumed liquor late Saturday night.

While the couple has been arrested, irate locals set their house on fire.

Additional Director General of Police Shyam Sunder, in charge of Prohibition Enforcement Wing, visited the spot to investigate and to unearth stashed illicit and spurious liquor.

A similar incident, in May, resulted in the deaths of over 200 people in the neighbouring Karnataka and the border districts of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri. Nearly 2,500 suspects have been arrested as a consequence of 60 cases registered in the area.

Situated 300 km southwest of state capital Chennai, the locality abounds in spurious liquor - known as methanol - distilled out of wood.

Uneducated villagers consume it since it accords more intoxication and is available at a price lesser than regular liquor sold through government-run vends in Tamil Nadu.

 

Source : IANS