3 arrested as residents fall ill after drinking toddy

Pudukottai: Three people have been arrested after scores of people fell ill allegedly after consuming spurious toddy near Vadakadu in Pudukottai district.Police identified the accused as G Thangasamy, 58, of Rajapalayam, M Prabhu, 58, of Vadakadu, and M Karikalan, 47, of Melapullandviduthy. According to sources, several villagers reported symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, and diarrhoea after consuming toddy suspected to have been laced with unknown substances. While a number of affected people were admitted to govt hospitals, many others sought treatment at pvt hospitals and clinics in the area.The incident occurred near the Pullanviduthy Mariamman temple in Alangudi taluk. Sources said that toddy had allegedly been tapped from roadside palm trees and sold during the morning hours at 100 per litre. Residents from Vadakadu, Mangadu, Pullanviduthi and Anavayal were among those who consumed the drink. A police team inspected the site on Sunday and seized pots used for tapping toddy and plastic cans used for distribution.