The Odisha Human Rights Commission has asked the Commissionerate police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack to submit an inquiry report on balloon blast near residential building of Odisha Chief Minister in 2015, in which girl students were injured in 2015.
The OHRC issued this direction basing on the petition of human rights activist Akhand. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Bhubaneswar will submit detailed reports within four weeks.
The petitioner said that at least 11 people, including nine girl students, were injured when a gas-filled balloon exploded near Naveen Niwas, residence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patanaik at Bhubaneswar on October 16, 2015 when they were on way to wish Patnaik on his birthday.
They suffered burn injuries on their faces, hands and legs and were rushed to Capital Hospital.
Several hundred students and youth activists had taken out a procession from ruling Biju Janata Dal(BJD) office towards Naveen Nivas when the incident took place.
Though the stretch from Old Airport Square to the CM's residence is a high security zone where prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC are clamped, the police allegedly gave permission for a procession.
More than 200 helium-filled balloons were being carried by participants in the procession. Some of them lit fire crackers fragments of which came in contact with the balloons and led to the series of blasts. The molten balloons caused burn injuries to the students.
Earlier the state government had banned use of helium balloons during public functions in 2002 after a gas cylinder exploded during Republic Day function leaving nine persons visually impaired.
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