M A I N   N E W S

Fire at eunuchs’ Delhi meet kills 14
Shaurya Karanbir Gurung
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 20
A fierce fire broke out in the evening today at the E-block community centre of Nand Nagri in Delhi killing 14 eunuchs and critically injuring 50 others. Over 3,000 eunuchs had gathered for an annual function when the fire started at 6.50 pm.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire broke out due to a short circuit. The annual function of eunuchs had been on for the past two days. The injured have been admitted to the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) hospital for treatment.

As soon as the fire control room received the report around 6.50 pm, 12 fire engines were pressed into service and rescue operations started in earnest.

The fire was brought under control a little after 8 pm. According to the Chief Fire Officer SK Sharma that the eunuch community had erected tents as temporary ‘pandals’ with electrical connections and had also been cooking food without taking any prior permission from the Fire Department.

The officer added that the fire had spread from the electrical wires. He also said that the department would probe whether such annual functions were held regularly and also if it were done without proper fire clearance.

The police said that the bodies have been kept at the mortuary of the GTB and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospitals. All the injured are undergoing treatment at the GTB hospital. The police has registered a case.

Sonia Dey, president of the All-India Eunuchs Association, said, “The fire spread rapidly causing a stampede as people tried to escape to safety. Many of the eunuchs have been badly burnt.” She believes that at least 100 persons may have been injured.

Vijender Gupta, Delhi state president of the BJP, said, “We regret the losses due to the fire at Nand Nagri and demand an inquiry. Urgent financial and medical care should be provided to the wounded.”