Paramekkavu conducts pooram fireworks at 7:15 am; big outrage over 'unusual' police action

THRISSUR: The most engrossing part of Thrissur Pooram — the fireworks, was held on Saturday morning after an initial dispute with police. It was after a long discussion with the district administration that the Devaswoms decided to start the fireworks. The fireworks for Paramekkavu Devaswom started on at Saturday 7:15 am while the fireworks for Thiruvambadi Devaswom started later. All issues were sorted out after a discussion with Minister Rajan.

It was unprecedented in Thrissur Pooram for the fireworks event to get delayed this long. Thiruvambadi Devaswom came up with a strong allegation about police imposing surplus restrictions. With the Devaswom not ready to kowtow to the police demands, the fireworks, which were scheduled at 3:30 am got delayed.

As a mark of protest, the Thiruvambadi Devaswom switched off the decorative lights in the shamiana tent set up on the ground.

According to Thiruvambadi Devaswom, police also blocked the roads in the Swaraj round and also stopped the people from leaving the premises. Even the night procession of Thirvambadi was stopped. The police initially demanded the committee members be moved from the fireworks area which opened a ruckus. As per police, only 175 people would be allowed to enter into the area, which Thiruvambadi opposed.

In the chaos, Madathil Varavu, one of the most crucial events of the pooram had to be dropped. Many people got stranded on the ground waiting for the fireworks, while Thiruvambadi alleged the police action to be incompetent and rogue.