Even as revenue and police officials distributed pamphlets and issued scrolls on local TV channels against consumption of illicit liquor, nearly 30 more villagers of both sides of the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border were killed after consuming the deadly brew. The dead are mostly illiterate labourers. By Tuesday, the third day of the hooch tragedy, as many as 130 deaths had been reported from both states.
However, sources in Krishnagiri said the toll had been kept low to control the public rage. Though officials claimed the number was 33 on this side of the border, local sources said many deaths were not included in this list.
Following the tragedy, the district administration has transferred 12 policemen, including a Sub-Inspector, from Thali police station to the armed reserve. This has, however, led to complaints from the lower level personnel that they were being made ‘scapegoats’. An official said the post of Inspector of Prohibition Enforcement in both Krishnagiri and Hosur were vacant, something the higher officials were also aware of.
In the latest incident reported on Tuesday, at least 30 villagers in Hebbagodi, Attibele and Sarjapur in Karnataka died after consuming hooch on Monday. Authorities feared the numbers may rise considering that many were still battling for their lives at hospitals in Hosur, Krishnagiri, and Bangalore. Apart from lives lost, the tragedy has also claimed the eye sight of many.
The increasing magnitude of the tragedy has prompted officials on both sides to shift blame. While Additional Director General (Prohibition) of Tamil Nadu Police G Tilakavati said they would form six teams and nab the accused, who are now in Karnataka, senior Karnataka Police officials refused to accept that the entire lot of the brew was produced in Karnataka.
At a press meet in Hosur, Karnataka Police officials said not all deaths were caused by liquor produced in the state. But, residents in Krishnagiri claimed many villagers were popular for their illegal brews. “In Minnamangalam village, there was arrack in packets that looked local made. While those coming from across the border are properly packed and sealed, these were fastened with a rubber band,” said a villager.
A number of small-time bootleggers have been arrested in Tamil Nadu, but villagers claimed their kingpin, who handles the business on both sides of the border, has not come under the scanner so far. Due to the Karnataka elections, the bootleggers might have pushed methyl alcohol without purifying, they added.