Gas leak causes panic in Sangrur

SANGRUR, Oct 4: Panic gripped residents of Sangrur town and some adjoining villages, on Saturday night, following leakage of a toxic gas ...

SANGRUR, Oct 4: Panic gripped residents of Sangrur town and some adjoining villages, on Saturday night, following leakage of a toxic gas from the National Agro Chemical Industries Limited, situated close to the Cantonment area. The industrial concern, which manufactures insecticides. pesticides and weedicides, is owned by Surinder Singh Kairon, former MP and a relative of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

As the gas spread, some residents rushed out of their houses and sped away to quot;saferquot; areas in their vehicles. A number of residents complained of suffocation, vomitting and loose motions besides skin burning. Those affected were rushed to either private nursing homes or the Civil Hospital.

Sangrur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Indu Malhotra, accompanied by a police force, immediately ordered closure of the factory to prevent further leakage even as panic-stricken residents gathered outside the factory premises, demanding its permanent closure.

Officials said 50 persons were admitted to the Civil Hospital and discharged after first aid.

Interestingly, two plant operators 8212; Bahadur Singh and Vipin Tyagi 8212; who had become unconscious following the leakage could not be traced. Sources said the two were hurriedly taken to some nursing home. Though factory sources said the gas leaked after a gas pipe was burnt, National Agro Chemical Industries Limited executive director Gurpartap Singh Kairon attributed it to mishandling of chlorine gas cylinders.

At a hurriedly-summoned meeting of the peace committee 8212; comprising prominent citizens 8212; by Deputy Commissioner Anirudh Tewari and the Sangrur SSP, it was resolved to immediately close down the factory. It was said at the meeting that the leakage was a forewarning for an incident on the pattern of the Bhopal gas tragedy.

Briefing mediapersons after the peace committee meeting, Deputy Commissioner said the Additional Deputy Commissioner had been asked to probe the incident. Meanwhile, at a meeting of various social and political organisations at Banasar Garden, which was also attended by residents of adjoining villages, a 21-member action committee was entrusted with the task of holding a public rally to demand the closure of the industrial unit.