5 killed, 3 injured in SUV-truck collision in Chhattisgarh
Janjgir (Chhattisgarh) (PTI): Five persons were killed and three others injured when a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) they were travelling in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh's Janjgir-Champa district, police said on Wednesday.
The accident occurred near Sukli village under Janjgir police station area on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday when the victims, all residents of a locality in Nawagarh, were returning after attending a wedding, they said.
The impact of the collision was so severe that the SUV was completely mangled. Five of its occupants died on the spot, the police said.
The three injured persons were rushed to a nearby hospital, where their condition was stated to be critical, they said.
The deceased have been identified as Vishwanath Dewangan (43), Rajendra Kashyap (27), Pomeshwar Jaltare (33), Bhupendra Sahu (40) and Kamlanayan Sahu (22), the police said.
An investigation was on into the accident, they added.
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TN govt reaffirms 21-yr age limit for liquor sales
Chennai (PTI): Seeking to curb rising alcohol consumption among minors in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has reinforced the legal age requirement of 21 for all liquor purchases and consumption.
The government has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets across the state and warned of strict action against those who violate the new directives.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the agency which holds a monopoly on sales of liquor, will be shutting 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 outlets near bus stations.
A senior TASMAC official on Thursday said that the staff at liquor shops have been instructed to check identity proof, including Aadhaar card, for all customers whose age is in question.
The official also said that the state government is considering a reduction in operational hours.
Currently, the liquor shops across the state operate from 12 noon to 10 pm.
"They are weighing a proposal to move the closing time to 8 pm," he added.
At present, the TASMAC operates a total of 4,765 liquor shops across the state. After the closure of 717 shops, it would come down to 4,048 outlets.
In 2025, the revenue from liquor sales stood at Rs 48,344 crore, which is the second highest after the registration department.
