Dabwali victims’ kin want fire safety museum at tragedy site

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23

With memories of their dear ones etched deep in their hearts even after 24 years of the worst fire tragedy of the country, friends and relatives of those who lost their lives in Dabwali fire tragedy on December 23, 1995, today assembled at the fire site for the annual ritual to pay tributes to the victims.

An all-religion prayer was organised at the Dabwali Fire Tragedy Memorial built on the land of Rajiv Marriage Palace in Dabwali, where 442 people, mostly schoolchildren and women, were killed and 150 others suffered burn injuries in a fire that broke out due to a short circuit.

The victims had assembled at Rajiv Marriage Palace for the annual function of DAV Centenary School of the town on the fateful evening when a fire triggered by a spark from electric short circuit engulfed the entire makeshift hall due to its plastic curtains and ceiling.

Amit Sihag, Congress MLA from Dabwali, his father DR KV Singh, a former OSD to former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and the Dabwali SDM were among those who attended the prayer meeting on the occasion.

A blood donation camp was organised where 881 units were collected.

Among those who paid tributes were a photographer Roshan Lal, who lost both his sons. His sons had gone to the event on a photography assignment. Roshal Lal’s wife died of shock within months of her sons’ death.

The lone survivor in the family now, Roshan Lal still carried the camera hung around his neck which was taken to the event by his sons. The equipment is still intact, though the fire had devoured 442 that day.

The others at the prayer meeting included Harpal Singh Dhillon, a retired teacher, who lost his wife and a daughter; and Darshan Lal, who lost six members of his family. Ravinder Midha lost his wife and his brother Bhupesh Midha’s wife and their children in the fire. Bhupesh could not bear the trauma and committed suicide soon after the tragedy.

Suman Kaushal, now in her early thirties, suffers 100 per cent facial disfigurement but she is jobless despite completing her graduation and bachelor of education.

Vinod Bansal, President of Dabwali Fire Accident Victims’ Association, rued that due to “indifference” of successive governments, the fire victims failed to get timely justice, as it took the courts and the government 22 years to provide compensation of Rs52 crore to 493 victims.

Claims for compensation were filed by kin of the 405 deceased and by the 88 victims who sustained burn injuries.

“We want this place to be converted into a national museum where people should come and learn lessons of fire safety. Despite several fire tragedies, our governments and people refuse to learn lessons. This place can serve the best place to teach people why it is important to take safety measures from fire,” Bansal said.

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