Declare Kollam fire tragedy as national calamity: Chandy

“The Centre should take necessary steps to declare the tragedy as a national calamity without delay,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of the southern Indian state Kerela told reporters after a cabinet meeting which reviewed steps taken so far in the aftermath of the April 10 tragedy.

The Chief Minister said the all-party meeting called on Thursday would try to arrive at a consensus on formulating a policy on bringing about restriction on fireworks.

Chandy said a section in society was not in favour of stopping traditional practices and rituals based on faith. However, another group felt ‘this kind’ of calamity should not happen in future, he said, adding government has to find a solution, taking into consideration the views of both.  The Chief Minister said DNA tests to identify bodies still in hospitals has begun and would be completed soon.

A total of 13 bodies are still to be identified. Chandy said police had received complaints that 21 persons were missing after the tragedy in the area and quoted experts as having stated that there was a possibility that the entire body of a person would have been charred, making even DNA testing difficult. Government’s priority now was to provide the best possible treatment to the injured being treated in hospitals, he said. Chandy said a cabinet sub-committee of Ministers, comprising Adoor Prakesh, V S Sivakumar and Shibu Baby John, would visit the accident site tomorrow and take stock of the losses suffered in the area.

“A rehabilitation and compensation package would be decided, based on the committee’s report,” he said.