In the wake of the tragedy at Puttingal temple in Kerala's Kollam district, spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi has called for a ban on firecrackers saying god is not deaf. At least 109 people have been killed and over 380 injured after a fireworks display turned Paravur's Puttingal temple into an inferno early on Sunday.
While urging the government act urgently, she said, "Similar incidents have been happening almost every year and hundreds of people have been dying so it is something that we need to think seriously. Fire crackers are used only for the happiness of people and not god. God is not deaf. So I would say that it is best to ban it completely or do it namesake," she said.
The mishap due to the display of fireworks occurred on the last day of the seven-day 'Meena Bharani' festivities. Thousands of people had gathered at the temple precincts to witness the fireworks display underway since midnight when the blaze erupted at around 3:30 AM.
The mishap occurred as sparks of the fireworks fell on the store room 'Kambapura' and the fire crackers kept there exploded with a deafening noise.
Sources had said that the fireworks competition at Puttingal Devi temple was held without permission from district authorities.
The Centre has stepped in and probe is on to find out what kind of explosives were used in the firework. A team of Kerala Police-led by ADGP is likely to visit tragedy site on Monday.
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