Injury to Kerala MLA Uma Thomas Raises Safety Concerns at Public Events

Kerala MLA Uma Thomas' terrifying fall from a dias at a cultural event in Kochi has sparked a probe into safety lapses at public gatherings, highlighting the need for stringent action to prevent such incidents in the future.

In an unfortunate incident that has left the entire state in shock, MLA Uma Thomas sustained severe injuries, including fractures to her ribs, face, head, and internal bleeding in the lungs, after falling 15 feet from a dias at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kerala. The accident occurred during a dance program where she was greeting dignitaries from the dias when she lost her balance and fell onto a ribbon barricade that gave way under her weight. The MLA has been placed on a ventilator at the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment for her injuries. The police have registered a case against the event organizers and contractors, citing a lack of adequate safety measures at the event, including inadequate space and the absence of front grills on the dias.

An FIR has been filed under Sections 125, 125(b), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011, by the MLA's personal staff member. The police investigation is ongoing, with Sub-Inspector Mithun Mohan leading the probe. The hospital has stated that the MLA's brain injury is not severe, but internal bleeding in the lungs continues to be a concern, requiring her to stay on ventilator support for a few days.

The incident serves as a stern reminder of the importance of ensuring safety at public events, with a severe summation by the hospital that the decision on shifting her to general ward would be taken tomorrow, while assuring that she would be kept under close observation for further management.