“We could have saved multiple lives if we knew,” says son of deceased in Kallakurichi hooch tragedy
Kallakurichi (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 23 (ANI): Vignesh, son of deceased Jaya Murugan who died after consuming illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi, said on Sunday that if he had known earlier that the liquor was spurious, he could have saved multiple lives in his village Madavancheri.
As many as 56 people have died so far after consuming illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district while 157 are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the state.
In a conversation with ANI, Vignesh said, “Today, we have lost our father. Had we known earlier that the liquor was spurious, we would have saved multiple lives from our village”.
Stressing that he has a family to feed, Vignesh sought support from the Tamil Nadu government.
“We seek the support of Tamil Nadu’s government. I have a family of my brother and sister. They are currently studying”, he said.
Vignesh further recalled the incident and said that after consuming the illicit liquor, his father couldn’t sleep well.
“My father was an occasional drinker. He was working in Hyderabad. He came to Kallakurichi to see his newly born granddaughter. On June 18, he went out with his friends where he consumed the liquor”.
“At night on the same day, when he came back, he vomited and couldn’t sleep properly. The next day, he complained that he had a blurred vision. Later, he went to the bathroom. A few moments after that, we heard a sound from his side. When we rushed to the bathroom, we found him lying on the floor”, he said.
The son of the deceased further stated that after his father was taken to the hospital, the doctors declared him brought-dead.
“I took my father to the nearby hospital where the doctors declared him brought-dead”, he said.
As per the latest data from the Kallakurichi district administration, a total of 220 people were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Tamil Nadu. Out of 220, seven were discharged today while 56 have been declared dead so far.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday said the state government will take care of the entire education and hostel expenses of children who have lost either one or both of their parents in the Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy.
The government will provide Rs 5000 monthly assistance until age of 18 for children who have lost both their parents and Rs 5 lakh will be deposited immediately as a fixed deposit in the names of children who have lost both parents, Stalin said while speaking in the Assembly session today.
After the minors turn 18, the amount can be withdrawn with interest, the chief minister said.
Similarly, Rs 3 lakh will be deposited as fixed deposit for children who have lost one parent. Priority will be given to them in all government welfare schemes, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said.
