The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports concerning the deaths of four workers and serious injuries to two others following an explosion at a metal processing factory in Assam's Cachar district on 26 July. The apex human rights body has issued notices to the Assam Chief Secretary and the Cachar Superintendent of Police, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

What the NHRC Has Directed

Observing that the media reports, if true, raise serious concerns about the violation of victims' human rights, the NHRC has asked authorities to furnish a report covering the health status of the injured workers and details of compensation disbursed to the next of kin of both the deceased and the injured. The commission's intervention signals that the blast has crossed from a routine industrial accident into a matter of constitutional concern.

How the Explosion Unfolded

According to reports, the blast occurred on 26 July at approximately 11 am inside the processing unit of the metal factory when molten metal reportedly exploded. Four workers — Appu Boraik, Kiron Munda, Shyamal Gaur, and Sagar Nath, the last a resident of Agartala, Tripura — were killed on the spot, while two others sustained severe injuries. The NHRC noted that more than 100 workers were present at the facility when the incident took place. Locals alleged the explosion was powerful enough to be heard across the locality and that the victims' bodies were severely mutilated — claims that authorities have not independently confirmed.

Arrests and Government Response

Five persons, including factory owner Rakesh Kumar Surana, have been arrested following directions from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The remaining four accused were associated with the factory's operation and management. The Assam government has announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the four deceased workers.

Assam Minister Kaushik Rai earlier stated that a magisterial inquiry, a police investigation, and a separate Labour Department probe have been ordered to determine the cause of the blast and to examine whether mandatory industrial safety protocols were in place and followed.

Allegations of Past Incidents and Cover-Up

The NHRC also took note of allegations by victims' families and local residents that similar explosions had occurred at the factory previously and were not reported — and that there may have been an attempt to conceal the severity of this incident. Police have confirmed these allegations will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has visited the factory premises to collect scientific evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the blast.

What Happens Next

Authorities must submit their report to the NHRC within two weeks. The parallel magisterial, police, and labour probes are expected to determine accountability and whether systemic safety failures enabled the tragedy. The case is being closely watched as a test of industrial safety enforcement in Assam's manufacturing sector.