Ban firecrackers in temple festivals: Amma

Kollam (Kerala), April 10: Spiritual guru Mata Amritandamayi on Sunday sought a ban on the use of firecrackers at temple festivals after a fire tragedy in a Kerala temple left over 100 people dead.

“Every year we hear at least one such firecracker tragedy,” she said in a statement.

“The government and temple authorities should seriously consider either banning the use of firecrackers at temples or at least minimizing their usage with strict regulation and oversight by the proper authorities.”

Exploding firecrackers triggered a tragedy at a Hindu temple in the coastal town of Peravur in Kollam district early on Sunday, leaving around 110 people dead and over 300 injured. The Mata Amritandamayi Math announced a compensation of Rs.1 lakh to families of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to each of the injured.

The Math also said that the injured would get free-of-cost treatment at the Amrita Hospital in Kochi. (IANS)