Kollam temple fire tragedy: Kerala HC bans fireworks display in all places of worship between sunset and sunrise

Thiruvananthapuram: Days after Puttingal temple fire tragedy, that left 110 people dead, Kerala High Court on Tuesday banned sound-making fireworks display in all places of worship in the state between sunset and sunrise.

While passing the order, the HC said strict action should be taken against those who use explosives in fire crackers without taking permission from concerned authorities.

The court's order came while hearing Justice Chidambaresh's plea seeking a ban on high decibel firecrackers.

During the hearing, the Kerala High Court was today informed by the state government that the guidelines were violated and no safety precautions were taken at the Puttingal temple.

The Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the Kerala government told HC that there was a clear violation of the law as no safety measures were taken.

The state said that no permission was granted for fireworks at the Puttingal temple.

To this, the Kerala HC asked the Chandy government, “How did fireworks happen without permission and why did the police allow the fireworks?”

The court further directed the state government to take action against erring officials.

The Kerala HC observed that the Puttingal Temple fire tragedy should be inquired by CBI.

It sought state government's opinion on a CBI probe into the Kollam temple tragedy.

While directing police and the district administration to submit separate affidavits on the tragic incident, the court recommended strict action against those involved in dereliction of duty.

Two days after the fireworks tragedy at Puttingal Devi temple in Paravur in Kollam that left 110 people dead and more than 350 injured, police on Tuesday recorded the arrest of six temple officials.

The Kerala government has called an all-party Meeting on April 14 to discuss whether or not to ban fireworks display during festivities in places of worship in the backdrop of the Kollam temple tragedy.