Meerut
fire: Students attack DM's office
Meerut:
Two days after the devastating fire that broke out at
the trade fair and killed over 50 people, irate students
along with local residents today attacked the District Magistrate's
office. The students shouted slogans and vandalised the
office. They broke chairs, tables and smashed other paraphernalia.
The crowd is apparently annoyed with the district administration
for not making a proper on the spot assessment .of arrangements
for the event and for giving clearance to the organisers.
Police have arrested the student leader involved in ransack
of the DM's office.
Petition: Bulldozers used to remove bodies
New Delhi: A Delhi based lawyer on Wednesday filed a petition
in the Supreme Court seeking registration of an FIR against
officials allegedly responsible for criminal negligence
with regard to the Meerut trade fair fire tragedy. In the
petition, Anil Karanwal, a member of the Supreme Court Bar
Association sought clarification from the district officials
for their reported use of bulldozers in removing the bodies
of the victims at the site. Describing the reported removal
of the dead bodies using bulldozers as "the most heinous,
inhuman and barbaric act" unheard of in a civilised society,
Karanwal also demanded a high level probe by an independent
investigating agency. Karanwal, also demanded framing of
detailed guidelines for fire safety measures that could
be followed throughout the country to check recurrence of
such disasters. He urged the court to direct the Uttar Pradesh
to grant proper and adequate compensation to relatives of
the victims, adding that the amount should be deducted from
salaries of the officials allegedly responsible for the
tragedy. Over 50 people were burnt alive in the trade fair
fire on Monday evening, and many of them critically wounded
and some still reported missing.
NHRC seeks report on fire
New
Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has
taken suo-motu cognizance of the fire tragedy that occurred
at Meerut's Victoria Park on Monday evening, and has asked
the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP),
Uttar Pradesh to give their reports on the incident within
two weeks. Addressing reporters here, Justice Shivraj V.
Patil, a member of the commission, said, "the NHRC has called
for reports from the DGP and the Chief Secretary of Uttar
Pradesh within two weeks." The Commission has also expressed
hope that the State of Uttar Pradesh through the Chief Secretary
shall ensure that free and proper medical aid is provided
to all the injured persons at the State's expense. "The
commission has directed the state government to provide
free medical aid to those who are suffered in this incident",
said Justice Patil. Quoting a news report, the commission
said that the news report mentioned allegations of laxity
on the part of the local administration in ensuring that
the fair organizers obtained proper fire safety clearance.
Relatives of those killed, it stated, had alleged that adequate
fire-fighting equipment was not in place despite the fact
that highly combustible material was used as canopy for
the pandals and even the floor of the premises was made
of wood. Following the news reports, the commission alleged
that it was reported that the organizers, Mrinal Events
and Expositions, had got as many as 24 air-conditioning
ducts installed in the three pandals as part of an "impressive"
arrangement. And to make sure that the air-conditioning
functioned effectively, they kept just a single entry and
singe exit to the fair premises. Besides, there was an eating
joint inside the pandals that had LPG cylinders. Adding
further the commission said that if the contents of the
news item, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of
human rights of the citizens. Replying to answers as to
whether the commission has send any team to examine the
sitations related to fire incident Patil said, "We will
wait till the reports from UP government than only decided
to send any team to Meerut." Regarding any complained the
commission received, Patil said we have not yet received
any complaint.
However, while calling for a report from the Chief Secretary
and DGP, UP, it has asked that information be furnished
to the Commission regarding - Number of persons who died
in the incident and details thereof. Whether proper identification
of the dead bodies has been made and if so whether the dead
bodies have been handed over to the relatives of the deceased.
Number of persons injured in the incident and details thereof.
Whether proper medical arrangements have been made for providing
medical aid to the injured at the State's cost. Whether
any amount of relief has been disbursed to the next of the
kin of the deceased or the injured persons. Whether any
person has been reported to be missing and if so, details
thereof. What efforts have been made by the Administration
to trace out the missing persons. Whether all the requirements
and necessary procedures were followed before granting license/permission
for organizing the consumer exhibition. Whether any case
has been registered with the police relating to the incident.
If so, the status of investigation..
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