Steps Needed To Address Psychological Impact Of Kollam Tragedy: Activist

Kochi: Weeks after the fire tragedy at the Puttingal Devi temple at Paravoor in Kollam left over 100 dead and several injured, a senior political activist today said urgent steps are required to address the "psychological impact" of the tragedy on the people living in the area.

Former Rajya Sabha lawmaker, KN Balagopal said instead of waiting for the nature to heal the wounds affected in the minds of the people, the government should take some extra measures to address the issue.

"Dozens of people died in the blast belong to the area surrounding Paravur Municipality. A large number of people who are injured also belong to the area. So psychological effect of blast still continues."

"It is very difficult to solve the issue immediately. It will take some time. A proper rehabilitation effort is required for the people who are affected. If we wait for a natural healing, it will take a lot of time," Mr Balagopal, who is also the Kollam district secretary of the CPI(M), told Press Trust of India.

He said government has announced a lot of relief measures to bring back normal life in the area but a follow up is lacking.

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"Besides providing proper healthcare to those who are injured, drinking water in wells and waterbodies in the area are contaminated, which requires remedial measures," he said.

"Local bodies, government, political parties and civil society organisations are still taking relief efforts to bring back normal life in the area," he said.

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Mr Balagopal also said the real culprits of the incident should be brought to book and "some kind of disciplinary action is needed against the officers who are responsible."

"There is no politics. We are not making any political question of these issues," he said.

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109 persons lost their lives and more than 300 injured in the April 10 tragedy.