May 26th 2024.
Over the weekend, a tragic incident occurred at a game zone in Rajkot, where a devastating fire broke out and claimed the lives of 27 people, including children. The facility, owned and operated by the Rajkot-based TRP game zone, was found to be lacking a fire NOC, despite having fire safety equipment on the premises. The incident has caused an uproar, with the Gujarat High Court taking suo motu cognizance of the matter and terming it a man-made disaster.
According to a senior police officer, the fire safety equipment at the game zone was not sufficient to control the blaze, resulting in the loss of innocent lives. As investigations began, it was revealed that highly inflammable materials were stored at the facility, including petrol, fibres, and fibreglass sheets. The police have already arrested the owner partner of Raceway Enterprise, Yuvrajsinh Solanki, and the entertainment facility's manager, Nitin Jain, while four other accused are still on the run.
It has also been found that the game zone was being operated without the necessary approvals from competent authorities. In November 2023, the local police had granted a booking license to the gaming zone, which was later renewed for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2024. However, the fire NOC was still under process and not yet completed. The police commissioner of Rajkot, Raju Bhargava, stated that the game zone had received permissions from the roads and buildings department, but the fire NOC was still pending.
The investigation into the case has been handed over to the crime branch, and a special investigation team has been formed, headed by Joint Additional Commissioner of Police Vidhi Chaudhary. The government has also set up a five-member SIT, headed by state Additional Director General of Police Subhash Trivedi. Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims have been sent to Gandhinagar FSL for DNA testing, and an NDRF team has been deployed to ensure the area is safe.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and regulation of game zones and recreational facilities in the state. As a precautionary measure, the DGP of Gujarat has ordered the closure of all game zones in different cities, while authorities are verifying safety measures, including fire protocols, at these facilities. The high court, in its observation, noted that such gaming zones and recreational facilities have been operating without necessary approvals, and has directed the municipal corporations of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot to appear before it with instructions on how these units were allowed to operate without proper permissions.
Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PM's National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The Gujarat government has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The injured are currently receiving treatment at a burns ward set up at the civil hospital, with surgeons and trained nurses being called in from various cities. The government is also conducting a thorough verification of safety measures at all game zones in the state.
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