Kollam Temple Fire: Conflicting Claims on Fireworks Permissions

While the Collector’s office said no permission was granted, locals claimed the ban was lifted later in the night.

Conflicting versions are emerging on whether permission had been granted for the fireworks display at the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi temple complex, where at least 102 lives were lost in a major fire on Sunday.

While the office of Kollam District collector, A Shainamol, said that no permission was granted to conduct the fireworks display, locals claimed the ban was lifted later in the night.

They claimed a ban had been imposed following a complaint by one Pankajakshi, a resident near the temple complex against holding fireworks display.

Pankajakshi alleged that temple authorities had threatened her after the complaint was filed.

Local people in the area told PTI that late at night, the ban was lifted following a ‘mutual agreement’.

However, Kollam City Police commissioner, P Prakash, said police had not given permission for the fireworks to be lit.

The locals said they had received oral permission. The temple authority did not have the permission and we did not give them any permission. A case has been registered and a team from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Thiruvananthapuram will be reaching here.

P Prakash, Police Commissioner of Kollam

Fireforce DGP Loknath Behara said “the incident will be treated as a criminal act.”

A special team from the fireforce will also probe into the incident, said Behara, who visited the spot.

Also read: Documents Show Kerala Temple Did Not Have Permission for Fireworks