Probe into Thrissur fireworks tragedy yet to take off

Thrissur: Almost a month after the fireworks tragedy at Mundathikode in Thrissur killed 16 people, the judicial commission appointed to probe into the explosion is yet to begin its work. Justice C N Ramachandran Nair, who has been appointed as a one-man commission to enquire into the tragedy, said he was awaiting communications from the new govt to begin the work. The accident had taken place on April 21 in the unit which was manufacturing fireworks for the Thrissur Pooram. The commission is yet to be allocated office or staff to conduct the inquiry. The outgoing govt had only issued the order stipulating the terms of reference for the enquiry. As per the order, the probe will cover aspects like the reasons for the accident, whether there were any lapses on the part of any officials and suggestions on how to conduct the fireworks displays less hazardous, Justice Nair said. The statutory magisterial enquiry into the accidents is being conducted by ADM Manoj. This enquiry is also expected to cover the reasons for the accident. "We have questioned some people," the ADM said. ACP Abdul Nisar, who heads the special investigation team (SIT) to probe the explosion, said the police are yet to receive the reports of forensic analysis conducted on the samples collected from the accident spot. "We would be able to say whether any banned chemical was used in the unit only after receiving the forensic report," the ACP said. "The unit had a license to stock only 15kg of explosives and we ourselves had seized much higher quantities from the site after the accident. This meant that they were stocking huge quantities of explosives there," he added. Nisar also said that police were awaiting the experts from Petroluem and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) to dispose of the explosives seized.