Over 100 killed in Kerala but Travancore Devaswom Board still opposes ban on fireworks

People walk past the damaged structures at the spot where a massive fire broke out during a fireworks display at the Puttingal temple complex in Paravoor village.

Kollam: Even as the police has said that all aspects of the fire tragedy in a Kerala temple due to fireworks that left more than 100 people dead will be probed, the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages about 1,255 temples in the state, said on Monday that it was not for a complete ban on such displays.

Prayar Goapalakrishnan, President of TDB, said the board was against banning the pyrotechnics during temple festivals as they are part of rituals.

"But it should be as per the restrictions of government and court orders with sufficient safety measures", he told PTI.

"In various temples fireworks display is part of temple rituals and we cannot ban it", he said.

The board has issued an urgent circular to all temples under it, directing that the fireworks display be carried out only in compliance with rules and regulations.

Board member Ajay Tharayil, however, said he was in favour of a 'total ban' on major fireworks.

Meanwhile, Prof M Kutty, President of the Thiruvambadi Devaswom, one of the organisers of the famous Thrissur Pooram to be held on April 17 said, "We will be conducting the festival, observing all legal formalities".

The fireworks festivities cannot be cancelled, he said, adding it was an age-old tradition.

On the other hand, S Ananthakrishnan, who heads the Crime Branch, made the comments in Thiruvananthapuram amid latest revelations that police had given the green signal for the fireworks show that caused the disaster.

"The criminal liabilities will be looked into and the team for the probe is now ready," he told the media, as per IANS.

"All aspects with regards to the permission given for the event and what happened after that will be looked into," he added.

A devastating fire had engulfed the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi Temple complex near here during an unauthorised display of fireworks yesterday.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday announced a judicial probe as well as an investigation by the Crime Branch.

(With Agency inputs)