Govt open to CBI probe into temple fire, says Chandy

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday said that the state government was open to constituting a CBI investigation into the Paravur temple fire that killed 113 people.

Speaking with reporters here, Chandy said the government’s stand on matters including a fresh probe will be based on discussions at an all-party meeting scheduled here on Thursday.

The government is also set to submit at the High Court a response to a PIL seeking a ban on fireworks in the state, on Thursday. A division bench of the court had asked the government to consider a CBI investigation on the incident. The government will request the Centre to announce the Paravur incident as a national tragedy. A panel consisting of Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash, Health Minister V S Sivakumar and Labour Minister Shibu Baby John will visit families residing in the temple neighbourhood on Thursday, in an effort to formalise post-disaster relief efforts.

The Kollam district administration and the police machinery continued to be engaged in a tussle over an “oral” permission to conduct the firework contest at the temple on Sunday. Local police officials said that though District Collector A Shainamol had denied permission for competitive fireworks, Additional District Magistrate A Shanavas had given an oral go-ahead for a firework display.

The ADM told television channels that the allegation was baseless. The District Collector has openly criticised the local police on its failure to enforce the ban.Six more people, all labourers working for the firework contractors, were detained on Wednesday. Seven officials of the temple management committee had surrendered before the police on Tuesday.