Kollam: Amid concerns of a “sabotage attempt” at the Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd in the recent gas leak incidents, a security committee headed by ADGP A. Hemachandran and technical committee led by District Collector Pranab Jyothinath visited the factory at Chavara on Friday.
The committees held detailed inquiries into the gas leak on Wednesday and Thursday leading to the hospitalisation of 120 children.
The technical team after a preliminary inspection denied the possibilities of an “ordinary” gas leak, but did not rule out the chances of a sabotage attempt at the plant. The team also said the factory should be operational for it to match the routine gases released with that of those “leaked near the schools.”
The technical committee included representatives from the Pollution Control Board, chemical engineers from Cochin Refineries and VSSC and a four-member special medical team led by Dr. Rajan and Dr. Ramesh from the Thiruvananthapuram MCH.The medical team visited the site to assess the condition of the children admitted to the hospitals in Chavara. “The children had nausea and headache as they inhaled the gas. All of them who sought treatment have recovered. Their internal organs are also free from poisoning.
Yet there were symptoms of anxiety that has led to a panic situation,” said Mr S. Krishnakumar, deputy DMO of Kollam, who was a member of the team.
