Panaji, 7 December. Regarding the massive fire that broke out in a night club in Panaji, the capital of Goa, around midnight on Saturday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has revealed that electric crackers are believed to be the initial cause of the fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane night club. After the tragic death of 25 people in this accident, the police have arrested four staff members of the club.

CM Sawant said that the club’s Chief General Manager Rajiv Modak, General Manager Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajiv Singhania and Gate Manager Riyanshu Thakur have been taken into custody by the police. Charges of negligence and violation of rules have been leveled against all of them. FIR has also been registered against club owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra. Both will be arrested soon.

Suspension action decided against responsible government officials also

The Chief Minister has instructed Director General of Police Alok Kumar that there should not be any laxity in this matter at any level. He also informed that suspension action will be taken against the government officials who allowed the club to operate despite violation of rules, on the same day.

Special committee formed to investigate the fire

Meanwhile, State Chief Secretary Dr. V. Kandavelu and DGP have been instructed to identify the guilty officers and take immediate action. The state government has constituted a special committee to investigate this horrific accident, which includes South Goa Collector, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services and Director of Forensic Laboratory. This committee will submit its report within a week.

Strict advisory will be issued for night clubs

According to Chief Minister Sawant, the government will ensure that such incidents do not happen again in future. Strict advisory will be issued for all night clubs and crowded places to the hospitality sector, in which strict security arrangements will be made mandatory. Clubs running without permission will also be audited.

to the nearest relative of the deceased 5 compensation of lakhs

While announcing the compensation, the CM said that the nearest relative of each deceased will be given an assistance of Rs 5 lakh and the injured will be given Rs 50 thousand from the State Disaster Management Authority fund. The government will make complete arrangements to send the mortal remains of the deceased to their homes. This accident happened on Saturday night at around 11.45 pm. All the people died due to suffocation.