The manager of a cracker factory in Dakshina Kannada district where three workers were killed in an explosion was arrested on Sunday night, police said.
The explosion took place at Kukkedi village under Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada district.
Police said the owner, Saeed Bashir, was arrested in Suraria, where he had fled after the explosion, and is being interrogated.
“Sayed Bashir had been granted permission to manufacture firecrackers on his half-acre land. His license was first obtained in 2011-2012 and renewed in 2019 until March 2024. It was effective,” Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police CB Rishanth told HT.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the firecrackers were manufactured in response to market demand. Most of the crackers are supplied for use in temples and religious celebrations. Four houses were damaged in the aftermath of the incident. suffered damage,” he added.
He said Venoor police had registered a case under IPC section 304A (causing death due to negligence) and Explosive Substances Act.
Western Range IGP Amruth Pal visited the spot and verified the matter.
The cause of the explosion during the manufacturing process has not yet been determined. A mobile forensics team and an explosives division team headed to the scene to gather information and investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident,” Richanth said.
Vishwanath Naik, a resident of Kukkedi, told reporters, “We will not allow the factory to operate at this location as four houses were damaged in the incident.” “The cement roof sheets of two houses collapsed, but fortunately the prisoners were away from their homes and their lives were saved, but the villagers were advised not to allow the factory to operate as it would put their lives at risk. I had already filed a complaint in Yatto,” he added.
“At first glance, the explosion seemed big as the impact was severe, but fortunately the villagers saved their lives,” Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja told HT. “We request the state government to hand over the investigation to the NIA to find out other organizations involved in this case,” he added.
According to police, there were nine workers at the scene of the accident who were manufacturing firecrackers. . Dinesh and Kiran from Hassan, Kumar from Araseikere, Kalesha from Chikkamalahalli and Prem and Keshav from Kerala sustained minor injuries in the incident.
As the tragedy unfolded around 5.30pm, local residents expressed their anger at the firecracker factory management. The accident damaged four residential buildings near the factory.
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