Thiruvananthapuram: With suicide cases being reported from various parts of Kerala after liquor sales were stopped following the COVID-19 lockdown, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the Excise Department to provide liquor to those with a doctor’s prescription.
The CM has said the government is also considering the option of online sale of liquor as the sudden unavailability of alcohol may lead to social problems.
The move comes after many reportedly showed acute withdrawal symptoms and suicide cases were reported in the state, according to media reports.
The state government has also asked the Excise Department to provide free treatment and admit people with withdrawal symptoms to de-addiction centres.
On Saturday, a youth had committed suicide in Kodungaloor in Thrissur district by jumping into the river after suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
In another incident, a 38-year-old barber in Kayamkulam had consumed shaving lotion after he didn’t get alcohol. He later died in a hospital.
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