Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Blast during festival: youth held

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: The Rural police have arrested a 24-year-old youth in connection with the explosion that claimed the lives of two children at a temple festival venue near Vilapilsala on Saturday night.

Circle Inspector P.D. Sasi identified the accused as Vasudevan, a resident of Ootukuzhy in the city. The explosion had occurred when the break-dance troupe headed by Vasudevan was performing at the Vilayil Devi Temple around 11.30 p.m. Two tin canisters, loaded with gunpowder and coloured paper to create a special effect during the performance, had exploded causing injuries to five children who were standing in front of the stage.

Seven-year-old Ananthu and Rajesh (14), who were killed, bore the brunt of the explosion. Sandya (12), who was seriously injured, has been admitted to the Medical College Hospital. Two other children also sustained minor injuries in the blast.

The police said the blast was an accidental one. The canisters were tightly packed with coloured papers and gunpowder collected from sparkles and crackers. The charge was set on fire using electricity conveyed through two insulated wires attached to the bottom of the canister. Vasudevan was produced before the court on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and violation of the Explosives Act. He was remanded to 14 days in judicial custody. The police were likely to initiate prosecution measures against the temple administration.

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