Madhya Pradesh: 13 Detained Following Khandwa Blaze Incident
Click to start listening
Bhopal, Dec 7 (NationPress) A total of 13 individuals have been detained in relation to a fire incident in which more than 30 people, including children and women, suffered burn injuries in Khandwa district, as reported by the police on Saturday.
The incident took place during a 'mashaal' (flame torch) procession in the Malwa-Nimar region of Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa on November 29. The fire escalated quickly into an inferno, causing chaos as attendees rushed to escape, resulting in a stampede-like condition.
The police initiated a case and charged 18 individuals for holding the event without the necessary permissions from the district authorities and police.
On Saturday, district police conducted a search operation and apprehended eight suspects from various locations within Khandwa. Subsequently, five more suspects turned themselves in to the authorities, while another five individuals remain at large.
According to Khandwa SP Manoj Kumar Rai, "A total of 13 individuals responsible for the organization of the mashaal yatra have been detained following a day-long search operation."
Rai further stated that the investigation uncovered that five of the detained individuals had previous criminal records and were currently out on bail. "Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining five suspects, and they will be apprehended shortly," added Rai.
More than 250 participants, including women and children, took part in the 'mashaal' procession. After the event concluded, attendees congregated at Ghantaghar Chowk.
Meanwhile, the fire ignited when some of the 'mashaals' fell onto the ground where flammable material had been placed. This led to a stampede-like situation.
The police reported that most injuries were sustained on hands and faces, but fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
