At least 40 people fell ill, four of them in critical condition, after consuming an adulterated drink laced with tranquilizer tablets in Gondadham area of Tirupur district, police said on Sunday.
The victims, mostly local plantation workers, complained of severe vomiting, dizziness and fainting shortly after consuming fermented palm wine from an illegal selling point near a coconut grove on Saturday evening.
According to preliminary investigations, the toddy was allegedly mixed with a mixture of sedative pills, often used in psychotherapy, to increase its intoxicating effect.
“Four individuals who were found unconscious were taken to Dharapuram Government Hospital and later shifted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for specialized treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable but they are still under observation,” a senior police official said.
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The local administration has launched a massive crackdown on illegal tapping and selling in Gundadam and Dharapuram belts. The Prohibition Enforcement Wing (PEW) has reportedly sealed off several locations and seized samples of the tainted drinks for forensic analysis.
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While the sale of unfermented ‘Neera’ drink is permitted under specific regulations in the state, sale of fermented ‘Toddy’ drink remains illegal in Tamil Nadu. This has often given rise to illicit “shanties” where sellers use harmful additives such as alprazolam or chloral hydrate to imitate the strength of high-quality toddy.
Further investigations are underway.
