Actor Suriya REACTS to the Hoocha tragedy in Tamil Nadu

Tamil actor Suriya Sivakumar has expressed condolences over the death of at least 47 people after consuming illicit liquor in Kallakurichi district of the state. On Friday, Suriya took to his X account and criticized the state’s alcohol policy and the political debate surrounding it.

“We saw a debate on alcohol policy conducted by all parties only during elections. We have witnessed that the people of Tamil Nadu, who voted with faith in improving their lives, constantly observe the plight of the governments that ruled us. he worked at TASMAC for over 20 years and forced people to drink,” Suriya wrote.

He pointed out the disastrous effects of addiction to alcohol sold by TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation).

“When people addicted to the Rs 150 TASMAC alcohol cannot afford it, they prefer the Rs 50 poisonous drink,” he added.

Suriya also mentioned that alcohol addiction is not just an individual problem but a social problem that affects families and communities. “When will we realize that alcohol addiction is not an individual matter, but a problem of the entire society of every family? There must be an immediate end to years of violence where the government itself encourages alcohol consumption.”

Calling on the government and political parties to take far-sighted action to prevent such tragedies, the actor wrote: “We can prevent such events in the future if the government and political parties act predictably. Regardless of the short-term solution, I, too, and the people, have faith that the Prime Minister will make decisions on alcohol policy reform for the good of the people.”

At least 47 people died and over 100 were hospitalized after allegedly consuming illicit alcohol in Kallakurichi district. This morning, three accused in the Kallakurichi illicit liquor case were sentenced to 15 days judicial custody and sent to Cudallore Central Jail.

The Kallakurichi police produced the accused before a joint district court. According to the police, the accused have been identified as Govindaraj, Damadoran and Vijaya. The accused were shifted to Cuddalore Central Jail from Kallakurichi Joint District Court.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister MK Stalin announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the relatives of each of the deceased victims, while those undergoing treatment will receive Rs 50,000 per person.

The victims are undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital Kallakurichi, hospitals in Salem, Villupuram and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry.

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 8:02 pm EST