Conduct of Thrissur Pooram hangs in balance as relaxations on firework norms delayed

Thiruvananthapuram: With the stringent norms for fireworks brought in by the Centre posing hurdles for the conduct of the famed Thrissur Pooram of Kerala, the state is mounting pressure on the Centre and also exploring legal options to by-pass the regulations.

This year's Pooram fireworks display, which is scheduled for May 6, assumes more significance as last year's firework was affected owing to friction between the organisers and police over the strict regulations put in place by the police.

According to the organisers, the minimum distance requirements between the explosives storage room, display place and spectators prescribed in the new guidelines issued by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation would make it quite impossible for the conduct of the Pooram in the Thekkinkadu ground around the Vadakkunnathan temple. and the organisers and the state government are seeking relaxations.

Union minister of state for petroleum Suresh Gopi, who is the maiden BJP MP from Kerala representing Thrissur, told reporters the other day that the Pooram would be held with its usual spectacle. He also reminded that the fresh regulations were imposed in view of the back to back fire work tragedies, including major the ones like the Puttingal tragedy of Kerala that claimed over 100 lives.

Apart from the Kerala government urging the Centre to relax the norms, representatives of the Paramekavu and Thiruvambady Devaswoms, which are the main organisers, have also been pressing the Centre to give relaxations. With a decision from the Centre still pending, the organisers are also exploring legal options.

"Earlier this year the fireworks as part of Vela festival of Paramekavu were allowed on the basis of a directive of the Kerala High Court. Hence the district administration and organisers are now exploring the scope of getting permission for the Thrissur Pooram also on the basis of that order," said a Devaswom official.

The disruption caused to the conduct of the Thrissur Pooram last year had triggered a major political row in Kerala as it allegedly helped the BJP win the Thrissur seat. There were also allegations that some IPS officers deliberately caused disruptions by imposing stringent norms. A probe is still going on to find the reasons.