Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
More than 150 people, including children, sustained burn injuries after groups of young men hurled firecrackers at one another during the traditional ‘Ghas Bhairu’ procession in Kekri town of Rajasthan’s Ajmer district on Tuesday night, on the occasion of Govardhan Puja, a day after Diwali.
Four people who suffered serious injuries are undergoing treatment at the Government District Hospital, while a tailor’s shop caught fire amid the celebrations, leaving clothes, sewing machines and other belongings reduced to ashes.
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The incident took place during the annual procession, a tradition believed to be more than 300-years-old.
What was once a customary practice involving the bursting of firecrackers near the feet of oxen pulling the procession has, over the past 25 years, increasingly turned into a dangerous spectacle, with participants throwing lit firecrackers at each other.
The celebrations began early Tuesday morning, but the situation became particularly chaotic around 9 pm when the procession started from near Ganesh Pyau.
Hundreds of young men and children gathered along the route, with groups engaging in what effectively turned into a ‘Holi of embers’. Firecrackers were continuously thrown at one another, filling the streets with thick smoke, loud explosions and noise.
Several people were struck by the explosives and suffered burns in the process. The situation became even more hazardous after electricity supply to Sadar Bazaar and adjoining areas was disrupted, leaving parts of the locality in darkness as the firecracker exchanges continued.
Amid the chaos, a tailor’s shop caught fire. The flames quickly engulfed the garments, sewing machines and other articles kept inside, destroying the shop’s contents.
The injured were subsequently rushed to the Government District Hospital. Four people with serious burn injuries remain under treatment, while others were discharged after receiving first aid.
The Ghas Bhairu procession travelled through Sadar Bazaar, Lodha Chowk, Manak Chowk, Surajpol Gate, Mali Mohalla, Bhairu Gate, Bada Guwada, Sarsadi Gate and Khidki Gate before returning to Sadar Bazaar around 1 am. Oxen were used to pull the procession carriage.
Meanwhile, the administration had deployed a sizeable police force to maintain law and order during the event.
Authorities had also held meetings with the Community Liaison Group (CLG) and Peace Committee, urging residents to avoid dangerous firecrackers.
However, the appeals failed to prevent the clashes, with youths continuing to hurl explosives despite the police presence.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the growing risks associated with the celebration of traditional events through hazardous firecracker practices.
Authorities are likely to face renewed calls for stricter enforcement and preventive measures to ensure that future processions do not turn into scenes of mass injuries and property damage.
– Ends
Inputs by Chandra Shekhar Sharma
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
