2 blasts in 18 months: move to cancel licence of explosives factory

Following the latest incident, the Dehradun administration has once again initiated a move to cancel the licence. District Magistrate Dr Rakesh Kumar told The Indian Express, 8220;I have decided to seal the premises and am writing to the Government to acquire the land for some other purpose. The lives of people cannot be put at risk and the factory cannot be allowed to operate here.8221;

Meanwhile, a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident and an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh has been ordered for the next of kin of the two deceased, Sanjit Thapa and Ranjan. The police have arrested four senior functionaries of the factory.

The opposition Congress party has sought a full-fledged judicial probe into the incident. Senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana said, 8220;How can the Government give clearance and allow an explosives factory to run at a place so close to human habitation and in the middle of four defence establishments? It shows the callous attitude of the Government towards the issue of security.8221;