Kerala DGP TP Senkumar had raised objections to VVIP visits on the day when an accident triggered by fireworks led to the death of over 100 people at the Puttingal Devi temple at Kollam.
The DGP has claimed that he had raised a red flag against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on the day when the accident took place. He asserted that he was against the visits as they would have adversely affected the rescue and relief work. He also said that during those visits the police would have to be diverted for security.
Calling the PM's visit a diversion of police resources, the DGP also added that the area was not even sanitised. Police forces were clearing the site of bodies, injured and diffusing the explosives.
He had taken up the issue at the State and Central level but was his objections were overruled.
However, Kerala CM Oomen Chandy countered the DGP's statement claiming that the presence of the national leaders was a great help. "PM's visit to the spot was a great relief for the people. National leaders visited and their presence and advice and help was a great thing for Kerala. All rescue operations were over in the morning. We all concentrated on treatment of the injured after 6 am," he said.
Modi had visited the temple complex and met some of the injured in Medical College Hospital on the day of mishap. Shortly after he arrived in Kerala with 15 burn specialists, Modi also visited the Puttingal Devi Temple premises at Paravur in Kollam district to take stock of the situation. CM Chandy and state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala took the PM around the temple precincts and briefed him on the incident.
The Prime Minister, who spent around 10 minutes at the spot, also saw the concrete bars, twisted wires and cables.
At least 110 people were killed and over 380 were injured after a huge stock of firecrackers went up in flames in Puttingal Devi Temple premises early on Sunday morning.
Comments
0 comment