Explosion In Bengal’s Illegal Firecracker Unit Claims 9 Lives

Medinipur: Nine persons were killed and 5 others seriously injured in a huge explosion that took place at Village Khadikul of Egra in Medinipur East of West Bengal on Tuesday.

According to police, the owner of illegal cracker factory was arrested last year but later was released on bail. He, however, continued illegal activities of cracker making in a clandestine manner.

BJP State President Sukanto Mazumder has demanded NIA enquiry into the blast. He has sent a letter to the Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms. Mamata Banerjee ordered CID enquiry into the matter and said state has no objection to NIA probe into the incident. Speaking to media persons, she also said that the owner of factory is suspected to have escaped to the adjoining state of Orrisa from this village located at West Bengal-Orrisa border. She ordered compensation of 2.5 lakh rupees to the next kin of every deceased persons and one lakh for each of the injured.

The Officer-in-Charge of local Police Station has also been asked to show cause as to why no intimation was available with him about the illegal cracker factory.