The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its grief and concern over the huge loss of lives in the fire accident on September 5 in Sivakasi. More than 55 deaths have been reported and hundreds have been hospitalized with complaints of severe burns.
These types of accidents have been recurring in Sivakasi. During the last twelve years 237 persons have lost their lives owing to fires in 88 firecracker manufacturing units in Sivakasi. The callous attitude of the government and the enforcement authorities are to blame for these accidents.
The CPI(M) demands that there should be strict enforcement of safety norms and violators should be dealt with firmly.
It also demands immediate announcement of adequate compensation for the families of those killed and injured alongwith measures for rehabilitation of those affected. The Polit Bureau also demands that all necessary measures should be taken by the government to ensure that such tragedies do not recur.