In the backdrop of the hooch tragedy at Mylavarm in Krishna district in which 18 persons died of consuming spurious liquor, mega star Chiranjeevi wrote to the chief minister Mr Kirankumar reddy asking him to punish the guilty irrespective of the persons involved in the incident.

Referring to the hooch tragedy, the Tirupati MLA said in his letter that such tragedies would spoil the reputation of the congress in the state and asked the CM to take strong steps to avoid repetition of such incidents.

“The poor people have addicted to the cheap liquor as the wine shops are allowed to sell liquor at the rates of their will and pleasure and this must not be continued under any circumstances,” said the actor-turned politician in his letter.

Blaming the excise department for the tragedy, Chiru said it wouldn’t be good to fill the coffers of the government with the sales of the liquor. “It is also the responsibility of the government to take up campaign against liquor addiction among the people,” said the PRP founder.

Pointing out that the rural economy is being destroyed with the liquor syndicates and liquor scams, Chiru demanded the government to grant ex-gratia of Rs.5 lakh each to the families of those killed because of spurious liquor and provide proper free medical treatment to all those affected.

Chiru letter creates flutter

Chiranjeevi’s letter created a flutter in the congress circles and the congress leaders have interpreted the letter as an expression of dissent on part of the mega star and his party leaders.

Congress leaders said Chiru could have directly met the CM and discussed the issue besides handing over the letter but instead he had chosen to write a letter and leak it to the media. “This means Chiru is angry with the treatment being meted out to his party and over the delay in the induction of his men into the state cabinet,” said a congress leader. (JUBS)