Kollam Temple fire: Five office bearers of the Managing Committee of the temple surrender

In Kerala, five absconding members of the Managing Committee of the Puttingal Devi temple in Kollam surrendered early this morning. The Crime Branch is conducting investigations into the temple disaster which led to killing and injury of several people. It has registered a case against six persons, including members of temple managing committee under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code. 

The five office bearers were absconding soon after the tragedy which claimed 109 lives so far and left over 350 injured. A case has also been registered against the assistants of



contractors who held the 'competitive' pyrotechnic display, despite a ban on it by the district administration. The Kerala High Court will hear today the plea for a ban on cracker bursting and fireworks display at the temple.

Meanwhile, conditional approval has been given for fireworks show at the Thrissur Pooram festival on Sunday. Thrissur District Collector V. Ratheesan told media persons that sanction for the fire shows would be given to the Vadakkunathan and Paramekkavu temples with restriction to use a maximum of 2,000 kg each of explosive powder to make the crackers.