Kerala MLA Uma Thomas.
Credit: Facebook/Uma Thomas
Thiruvananthapuram: While a police case was registered against the organisers of a mega dance programme in Kochi on Sunday for the serious lapses in safety parametres at the venue, the condition of Congress MLA Uma Thomas, who suffered serious injuries after falling from the VIP stage, continues to be serious.
The police found serious safety lapses at the venue for the record winning mega dance performance at Jawaharlal Nehru international stadium Kaloor in Kochi.
There was no stable barricade or adequate passage for the makeshift VIP platform set-up on the gallery that was around 15 metres from the ground level. Uma lost balance while walking along the narrow passage. Only a queue barrier belt was put in place instead of a stable barricade. Hence she fell from the platform to the concrete floor.
As the police registered a case against the organisers, top officials of the Wayanad-based Mridanga Vision that organised the event were learnt to have approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail. They put the blame on another agency that was entrusted with the event management. Police had invoked various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for endangering life of others and causing grievous hurt against the organisers.
Meanwhile, doctors treating the MLA said that the MLA would require some more days of ventilator support owing to serious lung injuries. She continues to be in observation and treatment for brain and backbone injuries could be carried out only once her condition improves.
While there was widespread criticism over conducting the mega dance programme even after the mishap, Cultural affairs minister Saji Cherian said that the record winning eight minute classical dance performance by around 12,000 dancers was about to begin. Hence the organisers went ahead with it. Moreover, initially the seriousness of the injuries suffered by the MLA was not known, he said.
The dance performance led by known actor-dancer Divya Unni had secured the Guinness world record with regard to the highest number of participation.