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34 die, scores hospitalised after taking alcohol in India

Published

1 week ago

June 20, 2024

34 die, scores hospitalised after taking alcohol in India

In a tragic incident in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, at least 34 people have died, and over 100 have been hospitalized after consuming toxic bootleg alcohol, officials reported on Thursday.

The victims consumed locally brewed arrack, which was laced with poisonous methanol. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin confirmed the presence of methanol, a highly toxic substance often used as antifreeze, in the deadly concoction. Methanol can cause severe health issues such as blindness, liver damage, and even death when ingested in small quantities.

Stalin announced that arrests have been made in connection with the deaths. He emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating that such actions “ruin society and will be suppressed with an iron fist.” Additionally, the Chief Minister’s office released a statement highlighting the government’s commitment to cracking down on the illegal alcohol trade.

In response to the incident, authorities have suspended a senior police official and ten members of the state’s prohibition enforcement wing for negligence. This enforcement wing is responsible for preventing the smuggling of illicit alcohol in Tamil Nadu. The suspension aims to address and rectify the lapses in oversight that contributed to this tragedy.

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India faces a recurring problem with deaths caused by cheap, illegally produced alcohol. Bootleggers often add methanol to increase the potency of their concoctions, leading to numerous fatalities each year. Despite Tamil Nadu not being a dry state, the black market for alcohol thrives due to the lower prices of illicit liquor compared to legally sold alcohol.

According to M.S. Prasanth, a top government official in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district, more than 100 people have been hospitalized following the incident. This case highlights the ongoing dangers of illegal alcohol production and the need for stringent measures to prevent such tragedies.

While Tamil Nadu permits the sale of alcohol, many parts of India have prohibitions on liquor consumption and sales. These restrictions often drive the black market for alcohol, resulting in the production of potent and sometimes lethal backstreet moonshine.

The recent deaths in Tamil Nadu underscore the urgent need for effective regulation and enforcement to combat the illegal alcohol trade. The government’s swift actions and arrests signal a determined effort to prevent future tragedies and protect public health.

34 die, scores hospitalised after taking alcohol in India

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Bandits storm Abuja council, kill one, kidnap four in fresh attack

Published

6 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Trends Admin

FCT Police Commissioner, Benneth Igweh

Bandits storm Abuja council, kill one, kidnap four in fresh attack

At least one person was killed when a clutch of bandits attack Guto in Bwari Area Council in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

The rampaging armed non-state actor also reportedly abducted four others during the invasion.

Over thirty men were said to have carried out the attack which began around 12:30am on Sunday.

According to Vanguard, the attack started on the outskirts of Guto and Piyawe communities before spreading to Tudun-Fulani and Sabon Gari areas, both in the Council.

The armed men were said to have split into two groups and attacked the communities from different points, having entered Piwaye through the swamps.

They were consequently said to have killed a woman, Madam Alice, who was in her mid 40s and then kidnapped a man.

Alice was said to have gone to the area to visit her sick mother who was being taken care of by her brother when she was killed.

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Two victims were allegedly abducted from their homes in Guto, while another person was kidnapped from Tudun-Fulani, which is less than a kilometre from the council Secretariat.

A resident who preferred anonymity, said the attackers operated from 12:30am to 2:30am with no challenge from security agencies.

He said; “What happened last night was very unfortunate. We couldn’t sleep from 12:30am when they stated till almost three o’clock. Initially we thought it was the vigilance teams who were shooting, but when it became persistent, we knew these people were back again.

“We have had peace for sometime now but unfortunately they have resumed and this time with full force because it was two groups that entered Bwari that night. One was in Guto while the other group was in Piyawe. It was obvious those ones came prepared, because the sounds we heard through the night, suggested they came with sophisticated weapons.”

Another resident of Tudun-Fulani who would not like to be mentioned, alleged that the police failed to show even when frantic calls where made to the divisional headquarters in Bwari.

“We felt so helpless because the kidnappers operated for over an hour, but there was no police or army to challenge them. I called my neighbour when the shooting started and he said he had already called the police. We waited for them to show up for 20 minutes and when we didn’t hear sounds of sirens, we called again but they kept telling us they were on their way. We never saw them until the kidnappers left on their own.”

Bandits storm Abuja council, kill one, kidnap four in fresh attack

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Sexual intercourse with minors under 13 attracts life jail – Delta PPRO

Published

6 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Trends Admin

Delta Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright

Sexual intercourse with minors under 13 attracts life jail – Delta PPRO

Bright Edafe, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, has warned that having sexual intercourse with a child under 13 years old is considered defilement and is punishable by life imprisonment.

In a post on X.com, Edafe emphasized that consent is not a valid defense, and covering up such crimes can result in charges of aiding and abetting.

He also highlighted that taking the matter to court or swearing an affidavit will not suffice, urging parents to report any instances of defilement to the authorities.

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He wrote: “A sexual intercourse with either a boy or a girl under the age of 13 years is defilement and the punishment, if found guilty, is life Imprisonment.

“Section 218 CC. In this case, consent is immaterial and such offences can’t be compounded.

“So going to court and swearing to an affidavit won’t work. In fact, any parent who tries to cover defilement could be charged to court for aiding and abetting.”

Sexual intercourse with minors under 13 attracts life jail – Delta PPRO

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Bandits abduct traditional ruler, others in Kaduna

Published

8 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Trends Admin

Bandits abduct traditional ruler, others in Kaduna

Bandits on Saturday kidnapped Ashiru Sherehu, the traditional ruler of Tunburku in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Sherehu was abducted while returning from his farm.

The area, part of the Fatika district, has been plagued by banditry, making it increasingly dangerous for local residents. Ahmadu, a resident, noted that fear of abduction or death has kept farmers from working their fields just a few kilometers away from the town.

Hussaini Umar, the Sarkin Fadan Galadimawa and another traditional leader in the community, confirmed the kidnapping. He stated that the village head was taken around 5:00 pm on Saturday while returning from his farm.

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“The bandits stopped him and took him away. We haven’t heard from them yet,” Umar said.

On Sunday afternoon, two more farmers were kidnapped in Sabon Layi under Kidandan Ward while working on their farms.

Witnesses were unable to intervene due to the bandits being armed.

Umar expressed his concern over the increasing attacks on farmers and acknowledged the efforts of soldiers in the area. However, he urged the government to deploy more security personnel to address the escalating insecurity.

The Kaduna State Police Command has yet to comment on the incident, and attempts to reach the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful.