Residents of Kharghar on Monday demanded to know why the state government has not yet appointed an enquiry commission to look into lapses at the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony that led to deaths and hospitalisations. While utmost attention was given to the VVIPs at the venue, there were no arrangements for the lakhs of people who attended the event in sizzling heat, alleged residents.

“While the attendees were struggling to get water in the sweltering summer, some fortunate people had access to milkshakes and fruit punches, according to witnesses” Mangal Kamble, founder-president of Swach Kharghar Foundation, said. “The government is silent on the poor crowd management post the event. It is surprising that no committee has been appointed yet to probe the lapses and absence of medical aid. The human rights commission should take action for dereliction of duty that led to this man-made disaster,” she added.