Mentally unstable man beaten to death while selfies were taken
Palakkad: A 27-year-old tribal man, accused of theft, was beaten to death by a mob in Kerala’s Palakkad district on Thursday night.
The incident at Attappady triggered massive outrage across the state after pictures and videos on social media showed some locals happily taking selfies while the man was tied to a post and being beaten up.
The deceased was identified as A. Madhu, a resident of Kadukumanna tribal hamlet.
Police said Madhu was apprehended by a mob from nearby shops and beat him up after tying him to a post.
Later, he was handed over to the police. On the way to the police station, he reportedly collapsed and died.
Police have arrested three people in connection with the case.
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Liquor manufactures can sell liquor on tetra packs in Odisha: Minister
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday said the government has allowed the sale of liquor on tetra packets with certain criteria in its new Excise Policy for 2026-29.
Speaking to media persons here, Harichandan said selling liquor in tetra packs was there in the state's excise policy since 2014. However, it is not yet made available in the Odisha market, he said.
"If any licensed liquor manufacturer or vendor wants to produce or sell the liquor on tetra pack, they can do it. The government will not restrict them," he clarified.
The state government is giving priority for proper regulation of manufacturing and selling of liquor in the state, the minister added.
"We just ensure that there is no illegal sale of liquor in the state," he stated.
As per the new Excise Policy, which came into force from April 1, India-made foreign liquor (IMFL) manufacturers can supply their products in tetra packaging and in glass bottles in specified sizes. Only 180 ml can be supplied in tetra packs.
The tetra packs must have six protective layers and must have the shelf life or the date fit for consumption clearly mentioned on the packaging, the policy guidelines said.
Before using the tetra packs for packaging of liquor, the manufacturing units must take certification from the Central Food Technology Research Institute or Indian Institute of Packaging, or any such institute as notified by the excise commissioner, it said.
Earlier, opposition leaders had demanded the rollback of the government's decision to introduce the sale of liquor in tetra packs, calling the move "unethical" and "anti-youth".
