At least 34 people died and dozens were admitted to hospital after drinking toxic alcohol in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
One person was arrested in connection with the incident, which took place on Wednesday in the Kallakurichi district, about 230km south-west of the state capital Chennai.
Kallakurichi police superintendent Samay Singh Meena and nine officers were suspended, while district administrator Sravan Kumar Jatavath was transferred, Indian media reported.
At least 58 people are being treated at four hospitals, new police superintendent Rajath Chaturvedi told The National.
"Some are in the ICU. We have arrested the bootlegger and the investigation is on,” he said.
Many of those affected are from the residential colony of Karunapuram. They complained of symptoms including giddiness, headache, nausea and irritation in their eyes after drinking the alcohol, which was sold in plastic pouches, the mother of one of the victims told a local news channel.
“Initially, the hospital refused to admit him, saying he's drunk," she said. "The state government should shut all liquor shops.”
Police seized about 200 litres of liquor containing methanol, a toxic chemical used in alcoholic drinks, from the alleged bootlegger, the Tamil Nadu government said.
"I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of the deaths of people who consumed adulterated liquor in Kallakurichi. Those involved in the crime have been arrested in this matter,” State Chief Minister MK Stalin said in post on X.
“Action has also been taken against the officials who failed to prevent it. Immediate action will be taken if the public informs [the authorities] about those involved in the crimes. Such incidents that ruin society will be dealt with an iron fist."
Deaths from illegally produced alcohol, popularly known as hooch or country liquor, are common in India. Last year, 22 people died in Tamil Nadu after drinking toxic alcohol.
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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