NHRC seeks report on Sivakasi fire

Taking serious note of the tragedy at a private fireworks making unit near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the state chief secretary, calling for a report within four weeks on the September  5 explosion.

 The Commission has registered a case on the basis of a media report forwarded by an NGO representative Anup Kumar Srivastava.  “Another complaint was sent by human rights activist, R H Bansal wherein he alleged that 54 persons died in the said incident,” a statement from the NHRC on Friday evening said.

While about 90 per cent demand of fireworks in the country are met by factories in Sivakasi, the NHRC noted that no adequate safety measures have been ensured by the government.
The complainants have requested a detailed enquiry into the matter and adequate compensation to the victims and families of the deceased, the NHRC added.