Karintharakal fireworks had no official nod

Alappuzha: Wednesday's fireworks at the Karintharakal temple, Kayippuram, Cherthala, injuring nine people, seven of them women, had no consent of the district administration. Additional district magistrate (ADM) M.K. Kabeer said nor had they sought the police sanction. According to eyewitnesses, firecrackers filled up in bamboo barrels took misdirection and exploded in the middle of spectators around 11 am.   The injured, none seriously, are recuperating at Medical College Hospital Vandanam and Muhamma Government Hospital.

Muhamma Police, which had arrested firecracker agent Surendran, said fireworks were as part of the temple renovation. "We are looking at further steps to sue temple administration committee," said sub-inspector C. Prathapa Chandran. Interestingly on the same day, special enquiry commission on the Puttingal fireworks tragedy that killed 114 last year began functioning in Kochi. Activist V.K. Venkatachalam said the use of bamboo barrels was a violation of the NOC granted by the Union government for fireworks at Thrissur Pooram this year. On November 19, 2014, two people including a woman were killed as firecrackers stored at home exploded near Kurappankulanghara a female worker injured in an illegal cracker unit explosion at Vallikunnam a month later.