Thiruvananthapuram, The opposition CPI on Saturday targeted the Keralam government over alleged safety and organisational lapses during the State School Games in Thrissur and sought a comprehensive probe into the incidents.
The swimming events were subsequently postponed.
He said the collapse of sheets from a temporary roof at the Thrissur Aquatic Complex, which injured students and others, was a serious safety lapse on the part of those conducting the meet. The incident occurred amid heavy rain and strong winds, with several people, including students, sustaining injuries, he said.
“The State School Games is not an ordinary event. The children who come there are those who will shape Keralam’s sporting future. Senior CPI leader and former General Education Minister V Sivankutty criticised the government over the incident, as well.
Vijayan said the government should seriously examine complaints from parents of participants about the lack of food and drinking water and inadequate accommodation. Ensuring their safety, food, drinking water, accommodation, medical care and proper conduct of competitions is the basic responsibility of the government,” he said. Vijayan said the government should provide an immediate explanation instead of allowing different departments to blame each other following the incident. “The officials have not changed; what has changed is the government’s will to coordinate them and ensure better organisation,” Sivankutty said, adding that the General Education minister, Sports minister and CM should take full responsibility for the lapses and apologise to the students of Keralam.
