Four die after consuming country-made liquor

Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu: Four men died after consuming poisoned country-made liquor, a police officer said.

The men died on Monday afternoon after drinking arrack, which was found to be poisoned, near Thiruvannamalai, about 180km southwest of Chennai.

"The packets were distributed by a notorious bootlegger known in the vicinity as Mannu," Superintendent of police V. Balakrishnan said.

"We are investigating the motive for the poisoning and have suspended inspector G. Raj and sub-inspector N. Purushottaman for not taking adequate precautions against distribution of hooch," he said.

Banned

The deceased have been identified as S. Gopal, 40, M. Jayaraman, 54, P.S. Pappammal, 70, and K. Gopalsamy, 40.

Balakrishnan said the bodies of the four men were handed to their family members on Tuesday.

One person, who is said to be in a critical condition, is undergoing treatment in Vellore.

He said seven bootleggers have been arrested under the Goondas Act.

Arrack is diluted industrial alcohol distilled out of molasses.

It has been banned in Tamil Nadu.

Bootleggers service addicts often by adding small doses of highly poisonous methyl alcohol - otherwise known as wood spirit - as it gives imbibers a "better high".