Covid-19 kills 1 while alcohol ban claims 7 lives in Kerala

Team Udayavani, Mar 30, 2020, 8:45 PM IST

Kerala state has one of India’s highest per capita liquor consumption and the alcohol ban in the state is killing more people than the virus itself.

Last week, seven people committed suicide out of depression over not being able to buy alcohol in Kerala.

Sources claim that, Two people committed suicide in Kerala’s Kollam on saturday, another person killed himself in Kannur, two suicide attempts were made in Malappuram and a 35-year old was transferred to a de-addiction center after he turned violent in Kottayam district.

Following the suicide cases, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan directed the Excise Department to provide liquor to those with a prescription from a doctor. Also, the Kerala government asked the Excise Department to provide free treatment and admit people with withdrawal symptoms to the de-addiction centres.