Paravur shell-shocked, wears sombre look

New Delhi, Apr 12, 2016, DHNS

A day after a fireworks display at the Puttingal Temple in Paravur led to one of Kerala’s biggest tragedies, the town has an air of sombre look.

When people speak, it’s hard to miss their feeling of the need to move on, but many say it’s going to be tough.

Surendran, a resident and regular at the annual fireworks display at the Puttingal temple, says he can’t imagine that a cherished tradition could unleash the kind of devastation Paravur witnessed on Sunday. “For the first time, thoughts about the next firework display here, if it happens, leave me terrified,” said Surendran. Some of the families residing close to the temple plan to shift to their relatives’ homes till damages to their homes are rectified. Reports about potential dangers posed by contaminated water have also added to the residents’ worries.

Meanwhile, hordes of people continued to visit the spot where tragedy struck.
On Monday, many were seen taking photographs of debris and damages caused to homes. As tragedy tourists kept coming in, a team of explosive experts began an inspection of the site.

Sudarshan Kamal, Chief Controller of Explosives, later told reporters that rules governing the conduct of such firework shows had been violated by the organisers.

Paravur had another day of political bustle. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, after visiting the scene of tragedy, said the incident threw up many questions on the functioning of the official machinery. “There are many contradictions in the official statements about how the firework show went on without permission,” he said.