NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
N Sathiya Moorthy in Chennai
The Ramadas Commission, which probed the 'Erwadi asylum fire' in southern Tamil Nadu last year, has found that the caretakers were busy collecting their belongings even as the fire roasted 25 chained inmates to death.
Three women inmates later died in the hospital pushing the toll to 28.
The report also said the Erwadi Fire Service did not respond to the crisis in time, pointing out that there was no fire engine at the spot, as the only one available had been sent for repairs.
By the time fire-tenders arrived from Ramanathapuram and Keelakarai 'it was all over', the report said. It added that if fire-tenders had reached the spot on time, the toll could have come down.
The report was placed before the Tamil Nadu assembly on Thursday.
While commending the post-fire initiative of the state government, the report said the tragedy could have been prevented had the authorities implemented the recommendations of various commissions and committees.
The commission has made 24 recommendations, including a thorough probe into the functioning of mental asylums in various places of worship in the state, and the opening of a 10-bed psychiatric ward in the district headquarters hospitals.
Pointing out that the only government-run mental health institution in the state is located in Chennai, it has proposed similar hospitals in Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai and Ramanathapuram.
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
