Express News Service
PATNA: An unlawful firecrackers unit was working contained in the three-storeyed constructing that was razed to the bottom following a strong explosion in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, police stated on Friday.
Altogether 14 individuals, together with 5 members of a household, had been killed and 10 others had been severely wounded within the explosion contained in the firecrackers unit at Kajwalipur Chak below Tatarpur police station in Bhagalpur district.
Director normal of police (DGP) S Ok Singhal confirmed the loss of life of 14 individuals within the incident and stated the home contained in the explosion occurred at round 11.30 pm on Thursday was getting used for manufacturing firecrackers with out correct license.
“During investigation it came to light that the firecrackers unit was running without license. Hence the station house officer of Tatarpur police station has been put under suspension for dereliction of duty,” the state police chief stated.
The blast web site is hardly 100 metres from the Kotwali police station and situated in densely populated locality.
The police seized enormous amount of explosive, wrappers and plastic uncooked materials utilized in making firecrackers from the particles.
One Md. Azad had rented out his home to Leelawati Devi, who alongside along with her relations was working the unlawful firecrackers manufacturing centre.
Another household of Mahendra Mandal was additionally concerned in unlawful firecrackers enterprise.
Leelawati and 4 members of her household, together with two minors, had been killed within the explosion. Her neighbour Mahendra Mandal’s household 5 members, together with a three-year-old little one, within the incident.
The households of Raj Kumar Sah and Ganesh Kumar Singh additionally misplaced their members.
Ganesh’s married daughter Pinki stated, “I was sleeping on the veranda while my father and a woman of neighbourhood were asleep in another rooms. Around midnight I heard a thud and house collapsed. I somehow managed to escape.”
She stated that her father and the lady had been killed within the incident. Pinki had come to fulfill her father a day earlier.
“Thank God, my children were at my in-laws’ house in Kolkata,” she stated.
The locals, nonetheless, alleged that highly effective bombs had been being manufactured below the garb of firecrackers unit. An analogous incident had occurred in 2002 through which 4 members of a household had been killed.
DGP Singhal stated {that a} case was lodged and chargesheet submitted within the courtroom in opposition to the deceased in 2003.
“How the firecrackers factory was running without license is subject to investigation,” he informed the media.
The subject was raised within the House throughout price range session on Friday by Congress MLA from Bhagalpur Ajit Sharma, who demanded a judicial inquiry.
The important opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal additionally supported the demand.
Taking a critical notice of the matter, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stated the investigation was being carried out by the district police.
“If required, the anti-terrorism squad will assist the police in the investigation,” he informed reporters.
Earlier within the day, bomb disposal squad and forensic skilled visited the explosion web site and picked up samples.
“The cause of explosion will be ascertained after the receipt of the forensic report,” Sujit Kumar, DIG of Bhagalpur vary, stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked to Nitish Kumar and inquired concerning the rescue work. He wished speedy restoration of the injured and requested Nitish to make sure correct therapy of the injured.
