Unable to get liquor, 3 men die in Tamil Nadu after drinking paint and varnish

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, Apr 06, 2020: Three men in Tamil Nadu’s Chengalpattu have died after they were unable to procure alcohol due to the lockdown and ended up drinking paint and varnish.

On Sunday, the three men, identified as Shivasankar, Pradeep and Sivaraman were rushed to Chengalpattu government hospital after they were found vomiting and in a serious condition. All three of them collapsed one after the other, IndiaToday reported.

 

None of the three survived after consuming paint mixed with varnish.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the three men were habitual drinkers and were unable to source liquor from anywhere due to the ongoing lockdown.

Frustrated, they ended up mixing paint with varnish and consumed the concoction.

The country was put on complete lockdown on March 25 for a period of 21 days. All services apart from essential ones such as health and food have been stopped. Liquor stores have also been stopped from functioning to avoid large gatherings.

The Tamil Nadu government last week decided to shut down the state-operated TASMAC stores, thus stopping all liquor sales in the state till April 14.

Earlier, a rickshaw driver in Nagpur in Maharashtra set himself on fire after being depressed over not getting liquor during the lockdown.

Looking at the liquor crisis, the Kerala government had offered to deliver alcohol at doorsteps for people who have withdrawal symptoms and can show doctors’ prescription.

However, the Kerala High Court later put a stay on the government order.