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Hairunnisa alias Thatha:
Kerala's liquor queen

George Iype in Trivandrum

Kerala, where women's empowerment is a key social development factor, now has a shameful claim to fame. The poisonous liquor that claimed 25 lives on Sunday in Kollam district was allegedly manufactured by a woman - Hairunnisa alias Thatha, widely known in the state as the 'liquor queen'.

In her mid-40s, Hairunnisa, a divorcee, is rich and well connected.

But just 15 years back, she used to wander around the streets of Kollam doing odd jobs after being divorced.

Police officials say she was quick to spot the immense potential of supplying cheaply produced liquor to manual labourers and allegedly began manufacturing and distributing illicit liquor with the help of a few hotel workers.

Soon Hairunnisa became immensely rich. She bought cars and luxury coaches and built a bungalow from where she continued to spread business.

Sources say liquor was brewed by Hairunissa in her fortress-like bungalow. "She would serve liquor to hundreds in the bungalow. Her customers ranged from rich and influential to poor labourers and students," an official claimed.

Hairunnisa used to source spirit from contacts in Mangalore in Karnataka. She even offered discounts to students.

Last week, four class nine students at Kalluvathukkal were expelled from school for abusing girl students after taking Hairunnisa's brew.

Sunday's tragedy is not Hairunnisa first brush with trouble. In 1996, she was sentenced to life imprisonment in a hooch tragedy case, in which two persons lost their lives and a few others lost their eyesight. On bail since then, she has filed an appeal in the high court.

Many believe Hairunnisa's business enjoys the protection of politicians. "She used to pay good donations to a party's local offices. The excise and police officials were told by the party leadership not to arrest her," alleged T K Shivadasan, a prohibition activist in Trivandrum.

Shivadasan said when a dozen prohibition activists led by some Church leaders went to meet the excise commissioner with a request to ban Hairunnisa's trade last month, the official did not care to meet them. "Hairunnisa's connections helped her continue business. It is tragic that the party, which claims to be pro-poor, is encouraging spurious liquor trade in the state," he said.

Locals said that politicians, police officials and excise bosses often visit Hairunnisa's bungalow to collect bribes. "Hairunnisa used to claim that the party was hers and she had nothing to fear," recalls K Pankajakshan, another prohibition activist.

Opposition leader A K Antony had imposed the ban on locally brewed liquor when chief minister five years back.

"The tragedy occurred because of the secret understanding between the politicians and the liquor mafia," he said.

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