Amid rising public outrage over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, DMK’s allies, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), have announced separate protests on June 24 and 25, respectively, demanding accountability and stringent action against those involved.VCK General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan, after visiting the victims undergoing treatment, declared a demonstration in the city on June 24. Thirumavalavan emphasized the need for the arrest of all individuals linked to the illicit arrack trade, including complicit officials. He also called for the strict enforcement of prohibition laws in the state.
The following day, on June 25, CPM will hold its protest in Kallakurichi, led by the party’s state secretary, K. Balakrishnan. In a forceful statement, Balakrishnan criticized the measures taken so far, which include actions against the district collector, the superintendent of police, and prohibition enforcement wing officials, as well as the establishment of a one-man commission of inquiry. He asserted that these steps were insufficient.
Balakrishnan pointed out that the sale of illicit liquor in Kallakurichi town, near police stations and government offices, had been ongoing for years, implicating the authorities’ tacit approval. He demanded the filing of cases and arrests of officials responsible for the deaths, and called for action against powerful politicians allegedly backing the illicit liquor trade.
“The incident indicates that the government administration is ineffective in eradicating the sale of bootleg liquor,” Balakrishnan stated, stressing the need for a thorough crackdown on those perpetuating this illegal trade.