Thrissur: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Thrissur Pooram fireworks display organisers to approach the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCE) in Nagpur on the issue of use of palm leaf chain crackers.
The organisers had moved the SC seeking its permission to use the chain crackers as Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) declined them permission to use this firework item for Thrissur Pooram to be held on May 13.
The functionaries of the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi devaswoms said that the SC had earlier approved the traditional fireworks for Thrissur Pooram by submitting the samples of fireworks items like gundu, amittu, kuzhiminni and chain crackers, but with a rider that PESO approval needs to be obtained.
It is learnt from sources close to both the devasowms that some of their functionaries were of the opinion that regardless of the PESO nod, palm leaf cracker could be used as the High Court and district administration had already given permission to use chain crackers at Namborkavu Temple at Velathur in Thrissur for using 5,000 chain palm leaf crackers.
"We have not taken a final decision on the issue and PESO needs to give it in writing on why the chain crackers are not permitted for Thrissur Pooram alone," G Rajesh, secretary of Paramekkavu Devaswom said.
Meanwhile, anti-firework activist and secretary of Heritage Animal Task Force in Thrissur V K Venkitachalam said that his organization was welcoming the SC order and the stand taken by PESO.
"The palm leaf crackers made as chain will be several lakhs in numbers for Thrissur pooram and hence Pooram organizers need to abide by the SC orders and the stand taken by PESO," Venkitachalam said.
