DMK Govt8217;s laxity on explosives control alarming, says Jayalalitha

Chennai, May 8: AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha on Thursday lashed out at the Karunanidhi Government, saying it had failed to properly' implem...

Chennai, May 8: AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha on Thursday lashed out at the Karunanidhi Government, saying it had failed to properly8217; implement the Indian Explosives Act whereby detonators and gelatine sticks had become cheap commodities8217; in the state.

Reacting strongly to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi8217;s refusal to order a CBI probe into the recent cracker accident in Panayurkuppam, Jayalalitha alleged that concessions made to some quarters for some unexplained reasons8217; in the enforcement of the Indian Explosives Act and Arms Act had led to the alarming deterioration8217; of law and order in the state.

She said that the state had to be brought under the direct administration of the Central Government to check the growing acitivies of extremists and contain the conspiracy of Pakistan8217;s Inter-Service Intellingence wing in Tamil Nadu. Referring to Karunanidhi8217;s statement in the Assembly that the crackers were manufactured by Latheef Fireworks at Panayarkuppam after obtaining a licence from the CentralGovernment, she posed, 8220;If it is so, does Karunanidhi agree that all the bombs that have hitherto exploded in the state taking a toll of hundreds of innocent victims, were manufactured with due licence?8221;

She also sought to know if the Chief Minister was not aware of the rule that those with licence to make crackers should manufacture them only at the place mentioned in the licence8217;.

Jayalalitha claimed that a separate licence had to be obtained under the Arms Act even for use of sulphur in the manufacture of explosives and so also for stocking explosive products. 8220;Does the Chief Minister not know that the State Government is responsible for overseeing such stocks?8221;, she asked.

She also asked if the Tamil Nadu police had permitted the stockpiling of explosive materials and manufacture of explosives in the private building at Panayurkuppam and if the District Collector or District Revenue officer had not inspected the place. She also queried if the Fire Department had given permission for manufactureof crackers.

Taking strong exception to Karunanidhi8217;s dig at her in the Assembly while reading a statement on the Panayurkuppam incident, she said: 8220;that he CM has stooped to the level of making a cheap dig at me through sign language in the State Assembly is evidence of Karunanidhi8217;s frustration8221;.

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Sharply retorting to Chief Minister8217;s observation in the Assembly that Opposition parties should be civil and cultured, she sought to know why Karunanidhi who boasts of civilty and culture had turned down her demand for a CBI probe into the Coimbatore bomb blasts.