<p>Conflicting versions are emerging on permission being granted for conduct of fireworks display at the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi temple complex, near here, where at least 102 lives were lost in a major fire today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>While the office of Kollam District collector A Shainamol's office told PTI that no permission was granted to conduct the fireworks display, local people claimed the ban was lifted later in the night.<br /><br />They claimed a ban had been imposed on a complaint by one Pankajakshi, a resident near the temple complex against holding fireworks display. Pankajakshi alleged that temple authorities had threatened her after the complaint was filed.<br /><br />Local people in the area told PTI that late at night, the ban was lifted following a 'mutual agreement'. However, Kollam City Police commissioner P Prakash, said police did not given permission for the display of fireworks.<br /><br />"The locals said they had received oral permission. The temple authority did not have the permission and we did not give them any permission," he said.<br /><br />"A case has been registered and a team from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Thiruvananthapuram will be reaching here," he said.<br /><br />Fireforce DGP Loknath Behara said "the incident will be treated as a criminal act."A special team from fireforce will also probe into the incident, said Behara, who visited the spot.</p>
<p>Conflicting versions are emerging on permission being granted for conduct of fireworks display at the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi temple complex, near here, where at least 102 lives were lost in a major fire today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>While the office of Kollam District collector A Shainamol's office told PTI that no permission was granted to conduct the fireworks display, local people claimed the ban was lifted later in the night.<br /><br />They claimed a ban had been imposed on a complaint by one Pankajakshi, a resident near the temple complex against holding fireworks display. Pankajakshi alleged that temple authorities had threatened her after the complaint was filed.<br /><br />Local people in the area told PTI that late at night, the ban was lifted following a 'mutual agreement'. However, Kollam City Police commissioner P Prakash, said police did not given permission for the display of fireworks.<br /><br />"The locals said they had received oral permission. The temple authority did not have the permission and we did not give them any permission," he said.<br /><br />"A case has been registered and a team from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Thiruvananthapuram will be reaching here," he said.<br /><br />Fireforce DGP Loknath Behara said "the incident will be treated as a criminal act."A special team from fireforce will also probe into the incident, said Behara, who visited the spot.</p>