Trichy: Parents and relatives of the 94 children who were charred to death in the 2004 Kumbakonam fire tragedy have appealed to the state government to announce July 16-the day the accident happened- as ‘Children Protection Day.’ They also requested to announce a local holiday in view of the anniversary every year.K Inbaraj, a parent and a native of Kumbakonam, who lost his two sons I Aanadharaj, and I Praveenraj, who studied in Class V and III respectively, told TOI that announcing July 16 as Children Protection Day would create awareness among parents as well as school authorities on the protection of wards. “I lost both my kids and that should not happen to anyone.”Parents, relatives and various Tamil and political outfits paid homage to the deceased children on Monday, the 14th anniversary of the tragedy. They paid floral tributes to the portraits of the kids placed in front of the school, which has remained closed since the accident. They also lit candles in front of the flex banners and parents offered various treats like sweets, chocolates, which were liked by their wards.Kumbakonam Tahsilthar Venkatachalam, municipality commissioner K Uma Maheswari and functionaries from various political parties also participated at the event and paid their tributes. A total of 94 children were charred to death and 18 were grievously injured in the fire that broke out on July 16, 2004 at Krishna English Medium School in Kasiraman Street in Kumbakonam.

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