Kerala temple fire: 3 abandoned cars with firecrackers found

Kollam, Apr 11: Three abandoned cars with fireworks have been seized by the Kerala police. The three cars were found abandoned near the Puttingal temple where a major accident took place in which over 100 people died and nearly 380 persons were injured.

The police have requested the people living around the temple area to vacate the area until it is declared safe. The police say that unless and until all the explosives are diffused and the area declared safe, the people should stay away.

Meanwhile, the police are awaiting a forensic report in the wake of the Chief Controller of Explosives Sudarshan Kamal stating that banned chemicals were used.

Kamal also stated that there was gross violation of the rules and the safety of the devotees was not ensured. Moreover as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court bursting crackers after 10 PM is not permitted.

The police are also checking to find out if some of their colleagues had ignored complaints from locals that excessive explosive material was used in the firecrackers. Some locals had said that the excessive explosive material had been used by the firecracker contractors, but the police did not take them seriously. Looking at the magnitude of the damage, it becomes clear that there were banned chemicals and excessive materials that had been used in the firecrackers.

Judge files plea:

Meanwhile a sitting judge of the Kerala High Court submitted a plea seeking a blanket ban on the use of high decibel firecrackers. Justice Chidambaresh in his plea to the court requested that the matter be treated as a public interest litigation petition.

The Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court will decide on the allocation of a Bench to hear this petition. A letter written by a judge can be suo motu converted into a PIL by the High Court.

OneIndia News