High-decibel fireworks in the night were banned on Tuesday in places of worship across Kerala even as 13 persons, including seven members of the Puttingal temple managing committee, were arrested in c
High-decibel fireworks in the night were banned on Tuesday in places of worship across Kerala even as 13 persons, including seven members of the Puttingal temple managing committee, were arrested in connection with the tragedy that killed 111 people on Sunday.
Treating a letter from one of its judges as a PIL, the Kerala high court directed a ban on the use of sound-generating fireworks between sunset and sunrise in places of worship, an order that came on a day the state government called an all-party meet on Thursday to discuss whether to impose a ban. The court asked the state government to examine whether a CBI probe is necessary in the Paravoor temple tragedy.
It also expressed anguish over the police incorporating lighter provisions of law with regard to offences against the accused and asked why the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was not applied against them.
The court, however, said that during the day, the sound of explosives cannot exceed the permitted limit. Colours and light performance without sound may be permitted during festivals at night.
Meanwhile, with the police hot on their heels, the temple trust president Jayalal, secretary J. Kri-shnankutty and members Shivaprasad, Surendran Pillai and Ravindran Pillai surrendered before the crime branch police in the wee-hours on Tuesday.
Two other managing committee members Surendranathan Pillai and Murugesan were picked up by the police here Tuesday morning.
The Kerala government Tuesday held a high-level meeting to review the progress of the various relief activities and treatment facilities being provided. CM Oommen Chandy, who chaired the meeting, also decided to formulate a policy on fireworks after reaching a consensus at the all-party meeting to be held on Vishu (Kerala New Year).
BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekaran opposed any complete ban on the fireworks display in temples.
Mr Chandy said the government had earmarked '20 crore for relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the tragedy of which Rs 10 crore had already been released to the Kollam district collector for immediate action.
