New Delhi, 12 April 2006
Taking suo-motu cognizance of reports in the print and electronic media of the fire tragedy which occurred in Victoria Park in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh on 10 April 2006, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for a report from the Chief Secretary and DGP, Uttar Pradesh. It has given two weeks time for their reply.
One of the newspapers had reported on 12 April 2006 that in the tragedy, nearly 50 persons were killed and 110 injured. However, the administration, it quoted, had put the death toll at 34 and claimed that 27 bodies had been identified. Of the 40 injured sent to various hospitals in Delhi, 2 had died at the Safdarjung hospital. Further the news report mentioned allegations of laxity on the part of the local administration in ensuring that the fair organizers obtained proper fire safety clearance. Relatives of those killed, it stated, had alleged that adequate fire-fighting equipment was not in place despite the fact that highly combustible material was used as canopy for the pandals and even the floor of the premises was made of wood.
It was further reported that the organizers, Mrinal Events and Expositions, had got as many as 24 air-conditioning ducts installed in the three pandals as part of an "impressive" arrangement. And to make sure that the air-conditioning functioned effectively, they kept just a single entry and singe exit to the fair premises. Besides, there was an eating joint inside the pandals that had LPG cylinders.
The Commission observed that the contents of the news item, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the citizens. While calling for a report from the Chief Secretary and DGP, UP, it has asked that information be furnished to the Commission regarding -

· Number of persons who died in the incident and details thereof.
· Whether proper identification of the dead bodies has been made and if so whether the dead bodies have been handed over to the relatives of the deceased.
· Number of persons injured in the incident and details thereof.
· Whether proper medical arrangements have been made for providing medical aid to the injured at the State's cost.
· Whether any amount of relief has been disbursed to the next of the kin of the deceased or the injured persons.
· Whether any person has been reported to be missing and if so, details thereof.
· What efforts have been made by the Administration to trace out the missing persons.
· Whether all the requirements and necessary procedures were followed before granting license/permission for organizing the consumer exhibition.
· Whether any case has been registered with the police relating to the incident. If so, the status of investigation.

The Commission has also expressed hope that the State of Uttar Pradesh through the Chief Secretary shall ensure that free and proper medical aid is provided to all the injured persons at the State's expense.
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