Judicial probe ordered into the tragedy

Thiruvananthapuram: The government has announced a judicial enquiry into the Paravoor fireworks tragedy.

The decision to institute the enquiry was taken at an emergency meeting of the Cabinet held in Kollam on Sunday.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the media after the Cabinet meeting that the retired High Court judge N. Krishnan Nair would be appointed as the Enquiry Commission. He would be asked to submit his report in six months.

The Chief Minister said that Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Nalini Netto had been asked to draw up the terms of reference. 

The Crime Branch will investigate the case which has been registered by the Paravoor police which had started the investigations. Additional Director General of Police Ananthakrishnan would oversee the investigation. The case has been registered under IPC 304 (culpable homicide) and Explosives Act.

The Chief Minister announced that the conditions for holding fireworks displays on competitive basis would be made stricter in view of the Paravoor tragedy. Stipulations were being ignored at several places. So, the Additional Chief Secretary had been asked to suggest changes to the rules.

The Chief Minister also announced a solatium of Rs. 10 lakh each to the next of kin the dead. Those with serious injuries would get Rs. 1 lakh each. Others among the injured would get Rs. 50000 each. Approval of Election Commission of India had been sought for release of the solatium as code of conduct for the elections was in force.

He said that 100 deaths had been confirmed till now and 60 bodies had been identified. The others would be subjected to scientific tests to establish identity.

He said that 383 persons were under treatment in various hospitals including private hospitals in Kollam, Kottiyam and Thiruvananthapuram (Most of the injured are in the Government District Hospital, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital).