Southern States - Kerala   

Crime Branch to probe liquor tragedy

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM APRIL. 11. The Kerala Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, today said that the Crime Branch of the Police would inquire into the liquor tragedy at Kuppana in Kollam district, even as the toll went up to seven.

After visiting the hooch victims at the Medical College Hospital here, the Minister said all those responsible for the incident would be brought to book. "The Government will not adopt any stance that would serve to protect the culprits,'' he said.

Mr. Sankaranarayanan said the Excise Commissioner had been asked to report on the failure of the officials to prevent the incident. Action would be taken against the officials responsible after receiving the report.

He said the Government had ordered widespread raids to check the sale of spurious liquor.

Joint raids would be conducted by various departments.

The Government would observe the conduct of the excise officials in this regard.

He said the sale of illicit liquor could not be prevented by the Government machinery alone.

The support and cooperation of the local people and the media were also needed in identifying those behind the tragedy at Kuppana, he said.

The Minister said the Government had initiated steps to restructure the Excise Department.

A new officer had been posted as Assistant Excise Commissioner in Kollam in place of the official who had been caught red-handed by the vigilance police.

He said the Government had been able to check the sale of illicit liquor during the festival season last year. Those efforts would be continued.

Condoling the deaths, the Minister said the Government had directed health authorities to give better attention to those in the hospital.

The Government would provide all assistance to them. Increasing the financial assistance to the families of the victims was under consideration of the Government.

The Minister had earlier convened a meeting of higher officials. The Taxes Secretary, Sajan Peter, Excise Commissioner, Dinesh Sarma, and the Managing Director of the State Beverages Corporation, T. P. Senkumar, attended.

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