Fireworks: Kerala Government to convene all party meeting on April 14

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Government will convene an all-party meet on April 14 to discuss ban on fireworks in places of worship.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the media that government would examine whether a total ban was feasible. Restrictions were also needed for use of elephants in festivals.

The Home Minister maintained that the police could not effectively keep tab on fireworks as it did not have the expertise on the kind of materials being used.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who held a review of the situation following the Paravoor fireworks tragedy, said that 13 bodies were yet to be identified. There were 21 complaints about missing persons following the fireworks accident. (The official toll stands at 110).

The Chief Minister said that the treatment in private hospitals would be free. Directions had been issued in this regard. Rs. 20 crore had been sanctioned to provide relief to the victims.

Meanwhile, seven of the 15 members of the Puttingal temple management committee, Paravoor, have surrendered before the police. They face the charge of culpable homicide.

A team experts led by Sudarshan Kamal, Chief Controller Explosives, has found that the highly combustible Potassium Chlorate had been used for the fireworks.