Mundathikode fireworks tragedy
Kochi: The central govt, through the deputy chief controller of explosives, Kochi, has filed a counter-affidavit before the high court highlighting several violations of the Explosives Rules, 2008 and prescribed safety norms in the explosion at a fireworks manufacturing shed at Mundathicode in Thrissur, on April 21. The accident claimed 16 lives, injured several others and caused extensive property damage. Accordingly, the bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar adjourned the matter to Sept 16.
Meanwhile, the state govt submitted that it had initiated several measures, including a magisterial inquiry, judicial inquiry, police investigation, rehabilitation measures and district-wide inspections following the tragedy, which occurred during preparations for the Thrissur Pooram fireworks display. Immediately after the accident, the Thrissur district collector initiated district-wide preventive measures to ensure that no similar incident occurred elsewhere in the district. The police department constituted a special investigation team (SIT), headed by the assistant commissioner of police (‘C’ branch), to conduct a comprehensive investigation, following which a chargesheet was filed. It was further submitted that a special campaign involving house visits was conducted under the leadership of the district mental health programme (DMHP) to provide psychosocial counselling and intervention to local residents and families traumatised by the disaster. During the hearing, advocate general K Jaju Babu submitted that the judicial commission headed by retired Justice C N Ramachandran Nair was in the process of concluding its inquiry and was expected to submit its report shortly.