Minister rules out illicit liquor deaths in Dharmapuri

They had consumed chemicals mixed with a soft drink

State Minister for Prohibition P. Thangamani on Friday told the Legislative Assembly that four youths who died recently near Pennagaram in Dharmapuri district had not consumed illicit liquor or spirit laced with chemicals.

Chemicals

When DMK MLA P.N.P. Inbasekaran (Pennagaram) raised the issue in the House, Mr. Thangamani said the four had consumed some chemicals mixed with a soft drink. He claimed that only the soft drink bottle and (traces of) chemicals were found in the place where they had consumed them. He denied that they had consumed liquor.

The Minister added that the government was awaiting the post-mortem report and a probe was on.

Compensation

As for the compensation sought for their families by the MLA, the Minister said he would consult the Chief Minister on this.

Recently K. Pachiyappan (28), a B.Sc. Chemistry graduate employed as a laboratory technician in a private concern near Mettur, I. Vijay (23), A. Uthirakumar (24), and A. Palanisamy (25) died after they consumed some liquid mixed with chemicals for higher intoxication at a secluded place in Yeriyur near Pennagaram.