Bengaluru Rural: Firecrackers banned after immersion tragedy
The Bengaluru Rural district administration on Saturday announced a ban on the use of firecrackers during Ganesha idol immersions, religious events, and political programmes. The decision came a day after a 15-year-old boy was killed and nine others were injured in a tragic explosion during an immersion procession in Mathur village under Doddaballapura town police limits.
Teen dies, nine others injured
The victim, identified as Muni alias Dhanush, a Class 10 student, succumbed to severe burn injuries on Friday evening. Nine others — including police constable Zakir Hussain, forklift driver Muniraju, and residents Yogesh, Nagaraju, Chethan, Ganesh, Lokesh, Maniyakka, and Dhananjay — sustained injuries.
Of them, Yogesh remains in critical condition with extensive burns, while the others suffered relatively minor injuries.
Explosion during procession
According to police, the idol had been mounted on a forklift and was on its way for immersion when the incident occurred around 5.45 pm. A plastic bag of firecrackers kept behind the driver’s seat exploded. Investigators suspect that overheating from the forklift’s engine may have triggered the blast, since the crackers were stored close to it.
The sudden explosion threw the immersion procession into chaos, injuring participants and bystanders. Emergency services rushed to the spot, and the victims were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals.
Case registered against organisers
Police have registered a case against the organisers under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 125A (endangering life or safety), and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities said the organisers are being questioned, and further investigation is under way to determine responsibility.
District-wide firecracker ban
In the aftermath of the incident, Bengaluru Rural Deputy Commissioner A.B. Basavaraja issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The order highlighted the installation of nearly 1,800 Ganesha idols across the district and stressed that the ban was necessary to avoid similar accidents.
The directive prohibits the storage, transportation, and bursting of firecrackers during all religious functions, public gatherings, and political programmes until further notice.
Over 1 lakh idols immersed in Bengaluru city
Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) reported that 1.14 lakh Ganesha idols were immersed across its zones on Friday. The immersions were conducted in permanent and temporary immersion tanks, artificial ponds (kalyanis), and mobile tankers arranged by the civic body.
According to BBMP data, the South Zone recorded the highest number of immersions with 52,181 idols, followed by East Zone with 36,725 idols. The West Zone reported 12,874 immersions, while Bommanahalli saw 1,330. In other zones, Dasarahalli accounted for 503 idols, Mahadevapura 3,299, Rajarajeshwari Nagara 4,105, and Yelahanka 3,385.
Of the total idols, 1,04,286 were immersed in designated permanent or temporary tanks, while 11,154 idols were immersed using mobile tankers.
Conclusion
The Bengaluru Rural administration’s firecracker ban aims to prevent further tragedies during the ongoing Ganesha festival, which witnesses large gatherings across the state. Police continue to probe the Mathur village explosion while the district remains on alert to ensure safe celebrations.