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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