More than 150 individuals sustained injuries, with eight reported to be in critical condition, following a fireworks accident during a temple festival in Kasaragod, Kerala, on Monday, according to police reports. The incident occurred around 12:30 AM during the annual Kaliyattam festival at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu Temple. In the aftermath, law enforcement initiated legal proceedings against eight members of the temple committee, citing multiple violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Explosive Substances Act. The injured parties were transported to various medical facilities in Kasaragod, Kannur, and Mangaluru for treatment. Authorities suspect that the incident was triggered by a fire at a nearby fireworks storage facility. Following the accident, several high-ranking officials from the district administration, including the collector and the district police chief, promptly arrived at the scene. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire, while local communities have come together to provide support for the injured and their families.More than 150 individuals sustained injuries, with eight reported to be in critical condition, following a fireworks accident during a temple festival in Kasaragod, Kerala, on Monday, according to police reports. The incident occurred around 12:30 AM during the annual Kaliyattam festival at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu Temple. In the aftermath, law enforcement initiated legal proceedings against eight members of the temple committee, citing multiple violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Explosive Substances Act. The injured parties were transported to various medical facilities in Kasaragod, Kannur, and Mangaluru for treatment. Authorities suspect that the incident was triggered by a fire at a nearby fireworks storage facility. Following the accident, several high-ranking officials from the district administration, including the collector and the district police chief, promptly arrived at the scene. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire, while local communities have come together to provide support for the injured and their families.
Earlier this week, the Kerala Police initiated a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the purported disruption of the renowned Thrissur Pooram festival that took place in April of this year. This action comes in the wake of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s assertions that the Opposition has been orchestrating “exaggerated campaigns” against the festival.The FIR, which does not specify any individuals as accused, includes allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement to riot, and the offense of outraging religious sentiments. It details an alleged scheme intended to incite unrest by provoking religious emotions. In his remarks, Vijayan acknowledged that there were efforts to disturb the Thrissur Pooram festival, celebrated for its majestic elephant and drum parades, although he noted that the event ultimately unfolded without any disruptions. He further accused the Sangh Parivar of attempting to meddle with the festival and characterized the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) as the “B-team of the Sangh Parivar.”