SIVAKASI WEATHER
Sivakasi residents want illegal fireworks units weeded out

07-07-2016
7th July 2016

- The Times of India

Sivakasi residents want illegal fireworks units weeded out

Virudhunagar: With Sunday-s blaze in a fireworks sales unit at Naranapuram junction in Sivakasi town claiming a third victim, safety concerns have come to the fore. E Alwin Yobel Sweegar, 37, from Hussain Colony died after he failed to respond to treatment.

Alwin, who was passing by, got caught in the inferno. The fire at the shop that had illegally stocked a huge quantity of chemicals destroyed eight houses, five shops and gutted an ATM.

As officials continued to clear the accident site, panic prevailed in the region; rumours spread about tonnes of explosives still left inside the shop and an imminent disaster. However, people who vacated their houses in the area in fear started returning back, though officials have still cordoned off 100 metres around the accident spot.

People gheroed a team of officials when the petroleum and explosives safety organisation announced that it would take a few more days to clear the accident spot. They charged that their normal life had been affected.

People in the town alleged that officials were hand in glove with those behind the illegal trade of supplying raw materials to the fireworks industry. There are nearly 300 fireworks sales units in Sivakasi town, according to the public.

"Earlier they used to function only during the Diwali season. Now they function round the year. There is little clarity on how they got permission to function in residential areas," said P N Deva, a Sivakasi resident. The PMK-s state vice president M Thilagabama from Sivakasi said fireworks had become the major source of livelihood in Sivakasi.

"There is deep-rooted corruption at every level in fireworks manufacturing, including illegal manufacturing in houses, illegal supply and sales. The issue has come out because there was a major accident claiming lives. We have been insisting that fireworks manufacturing has to be regulated and stakeholders should undergo proper curriculum on fireworks manufacturing," she said.

Two years ago, there was a similar accident at Muslim Street in Pavadi Thoppu. Fortunately no lives were lost in that incident. Even then, people staged a demonstration urging the district administration to move all fireworks sales units and warehouses out of town limits.

"Officials promised action, but nothing came out of it. Besides, public memory is short. This time, it has turned out to be fatal and we hope officials will act this time," added Deva. Meanwhile official teams carried out inspection at fireworks sales units on Wednesday.

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