Despite efforts by the Government of Tamil Nadu to curb the sale of illegal liquor, booting continues to flourish in districts with Puducherry. In many cases, business is survived due to lack of business and significant differences between the prices of liquor in Tamil Nadu and the Union region. The state has been forced to withstand the results of failure to regulate booting, after a dual murder in Mayiladuthurai, where two 20 -year -old youths were allegedly killed when villagers smuggled and illicit liquor A complaint was filed against those involved in the sale of.
On February 14, around 7.30 pm, four friends – Dinesh; Ajay; Ajay’s elder brother. Harish, 20; , The village is home to more than 175 Dalit families and 25 families of other castes. Harish, who had completed his polytechnic education and had been working in Chennai for the last few months, came to the village on 12 February to visit his family. Hariskthi, a resident of Pattamangalam Panchayat, reached Mutam that evening to spend time with relatives.
At the same time, another group reached the spot, allegedly in an unbalanced position. This group, which included Muwandon, 24; His elder brother Thangadurai, 28; And the 34 -year -old prince was armed with sharp weapons. Without provocation, he attacked four friends. Harish maintained severe stomach injuries, while Hariskthi was stabbed in the back. Ajay suffered a hand injury, and Dinesh ran away from a minor wounds. Harish and Hariskthi were taken to Mayiladuthurai Government Hospital, but died on the way.
Nalladai Checkpoint in the border of Perambur Police of Mayiladuthurai district. It is located near the border of Puducherry. Police check vehicles here to prevent illegal liquor smuggling from the center area. , Photo Credit: M. statue
R., a relative of Hariskthi. Karikalachozhan said, “Our people were angry after our boys died. Around midnight, a mob discovered Muvendran’s family and prince, but they had run away by then. Residents damaged their homes. “A part of the residents staged a protest. The main accused – Muwendon, Thangdurai and Rajkumar – were arrested on 15 February. In the next days, the police by 22 -year -old K. Sanjay was allegedly arrested for helping the accused persons avoid arrest. He also arrested parents, Munusamy and Manjula of Muwendon for alleged involvement in crime. The residents claim that Muwendon’s sister was present at the scene, although her role is not clear.
Disputed purpose
Claims and counter-claims are, mainly about the causes of violence, about Harish’s age (who was initially said that he was 25), and about the anticadents of the people involved. According to their families and police, none of the deceased had any criminal case. In contrast, Rajkumar was arrested on 11 February for selling illicit liquor and released on 14 February before the attack. Thangadurai faced two cases related to illegal liquor trade, one was filed in 2022 and the other in 2024.
B. Gauri, mother of Harisakthi. , Photo Credit: M. statue
In Mayiladuthurai, Poraiyar police along with Poraiyar police has outposts in Naldei and Nandalar, which is on the border of Karikal in the Sangh region. A continuous problem here has been smuggling cheap alcohol from curiosity.
Muttam residents say that illegal liquor trade prevails in their area, in which the liquor smuggled by curry is being sold extensively. According to him, the police repeatedly inspired the accused to take revenge on the accused. However, the district police denied any relationship between murders and sale of illegal liquor. In a press statement issued on 15 February, he said that the murders were the sequel to a verbal change among the individuals of the same area.
Police said Muntan had a dispute with Dinesh. On the evening of 13 February, an argument between the two broke and turned into a fight, inspiring the residents to intervene. Police said that except Dinesh, other victims had no enmity with the accused persons. The statement dismissed the claims connecting the incident to the smuggling of alcohol and urged the media to avoid spreading wrong information.
Of. Ram, mother of Harish. , Photo Credit: M. statue
Within two days of the murders, Inspector Nagavalli and Constable Prabhakaran of Perambur Police Station were transferred and placed on compulsory waiting by Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Thajavur Range) Ziaul Haq. Mayiladuthurai Superintendent of Police G. Stalin told The Hindu that the initial interrogation pointed to personal enmity as the primary objective between Dinesh and the accused persons. However, as the investigation proceeds, new details are emerging, and the police are open to consider all possible objectives.
Family rejects police version
In Kumbakonam, the third year engineering student Hariskthi, K. Balmurugan was the eldest son of Balmurugan, a temple priest in a small village, and a housewife, B. Gowri. His mother was struggling with unpaid college fees and home fare, described him as calm and reserved. “At home, she lived in her room or traveled to Muttam, where her friends were,” she said. “Wine has been selling for a long time. Although my son had never filed a complaint, the accused persons suspected everyone. Previous relationships mean nothing when profit is at stake. ,
Harish’s mother, K. Ram is part of the housekeeping staff at a local art college. He earns ₹ 5,400 in a month. Ram is distraught after losing his son. Her husband, c. Kalyankumar has been mostly unemployed since a decade due to health issues. His younger son, 19 -year -old Ajay is a complainant in the case. Ms. Ram said, “I tried tirelessly to educate my sons, hopefully Harish will change the fate of our family.” “But now, I have lost it, and my purpose in life. The accused has harassed several families here to report the sale of illicit liquor. It is disappointing that the police is preparing it as a case of personal enmity. ,
On 15 February, members of the CPI (M) staged a protest near the Town Bus Stand, demanding the arrest of Perambur Inspector to allegedly mold liquor smugglers. Member of party district committee G. Stalin accused the police of acting under political pressure and reducing liquor smuggling and sales scale. He said that while the police initially blamed the murders for personal enmity, the sudden transfer of two officers raised doubts.
He alleged that the police had leaked the identity of those who reported the sale of illegal liquor, causing danger and attacks. Muttam, mainly cultivated, has registered an increase in the students of the first generation college, many of which have opposed the liquor trade affecting their families. The CPI (M) claimed that a connivance and Perambur station officials provided liquor smuggling facilities between the police in the Puducherry border posts.
During festivals like Thaposam, the smuggling market of liquor from Karikal flooded. Unemployed youth take advantage of the price difference – the rate of liquor in Puducherry is about half in Tamil Nadu – changing smuggling in a profitable enterprise.
During the visit of Muttam and Nalladai Checkpost, which connects Mailaduthurai and Puducherry, the reporter saw a liquor shop, once and a toddy shop, which was all working on the border. With no residential settlements nearby, the location is strategically placed to attract customers. Beyond the small bridge connecting Naldai and Karikal, there are huge stretch farms and waterways that make smuggling easier.
Viduthalai Chiruthigal Kachi Regional Organizing Secretary A. Velu Kubendran demanded compensation for the families of the victims and took strict action against those responsible, including police officers. He said that the sale of illicit liquor affected the communities of Dalit and working class more.
In Puducherry, the price of a 60-ML liquor bottle begins at 20, while the 180 mL quarter. Available from 40. In contrast, in Tamil Nadu, the cheapest 180-ML quarter of Brandy is priced at ₹ 145. Additionally, Puducherry provides more varieties of alcohol than in Tamil Nadu. The significant value difference encourages the purchase of liquor and arrows from Puducherry and sells them in Tamil Nadu at high prices. The problem is especially in districts with Puducherry and Curricel border.
Superintendent of Police Mr. Stalin denied the claims made by protesters and political parties about the spread of illegal liquor sales in Muttam. He said that some allegations were exaggerated, especially those who suggested that several complaints were filed. “While some people allege that several complaints were filed about the sale of illegal liquor in the village, we have officially received only one complaint. Accused persons do not have many cases to be branded as professional liquor smugglers or vendors, ”he said.
To curb liquor smuggling, measures were being taken to strengthen border security in major areas, he said. Additionally, as part of a community outreach program, the police have planned to organize awareness camps in schools and colleges.
Political uproar
The murders created a political uproar, in which the parties criticized the DMK government, which failed to investigate booting and liquor smuggling. AIADMK General Secretary Edappdi. Palaniswami accused the government of promoting an environment in which the complaints were threatened or even killed.
Mr. Palaniswami also questioned the initial statements of the police and blamed the killings for personal enmity and demanded a complete investigation.
BJP state president K.K. Annamalai blamed the killings on the sale of illegal liquor. “Illegal liquor is flowing like a river in Tamil Nadu. The state is going through a worse situation than the dark period of DMK rule between 2006 and 2011, ”he wrote on social media.
PMK founder S. Ramdos alleged that the police were trying to hide the truth and sought compensation for the affected families. CPI (M) State Secretary P. Shanmugam dismissed the police claims of personal enmity and said the murders were associated with liquor business.
Police say they have continuously maintained vigilance against illegal liquor. By February 17, 2025, 208 cases were registered and 222 accused persons were arrested in the district. A total of 2,531 liters of contrast was seized. In 2024, 3,547 cases were registered and 3,603 accused persons were arrested. A total of 74,975 liters of contraband was seized.
Lack of enforcement
A part of police officers feel that prohibition enforcement laws are old and ineffective in dealing with the problem. Bail for smuggling liquor is provided within two days. A person should be caught with large amounts of alcohol and was sent to qualify for custody under the Gondas Act at least three times.
An officer of the prohibition enforcement wing says, “Even if a person is caught, he appoints his brother or colleague to continue business.” This cycle keeps the flow of illegal liquor uninterrupted. “Tightening punishment and lack of an enforcement mechanism allowed to smuggle, authorities trying to eliminate the danger a challenge.
Published – February 23, 2025 12:20 AM IST
