1 held over blast at illegal firecracker unit in Bengal’s Duttapukur, death toll rises to 8

Police sources said Keramat’s son Rabiul Ali, 21, too died in the explosion. According to officers, Safikul was a partner in Keramat’s illegal firecracker business. Officers said a case has been lodged under the West Bengal Fire Services Act and Explosive Substances Act, besides section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

The intensity of the blast in Mochpol village was such that the house turned into a pile of debris within a few moments, while at least five to six houses nearby were damaged, some severely. At least six people are still under treatment.

While the BJP and Congress have sought a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the incident, the ruling TMC termed the incident “dangerous” and said the police are investigating.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “The Duttapukur incident is pathetic and dangerous. But it is too early to speak on this in detail. An accident can happen at any time. The cracker industry is also linked to the employment of a large number of people. The Opposition holding the cracker manufacturing industry responsible is not right. Let the police do their work.”

Governor C V Ananda Bose also visited the spot and met the injured people in the hospital. The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) has written to the district magistrate Sharad Kumar Dwivedi seeking an inquiry report as a few minors were also injured. A WBCPCR team will visit the place on Monday.

Soon after the blast, a group of local people entered an unused brick kiln – located nearly a kilometre from the blast site – that stored huge quantities of chemicals, glass beakers and raw materials, besides packets of crackers, and vandalised a four-wheeler parked there.

Locals alleged that explosives were sent to the house from this brick kiln. The Indian Express visited the kiln and saw bills and receipts under the name of ‘Kiron Variety Stores’ strewn around. The police, however, refused to comment on the brick kiln.