West Bengal Police Takes Action Against Illegal Firecracker Manufacturing
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Kolkata, April 2 (NationPress) The West Bengal Police has launched significant operations targeting illegal firecracker factories in response to a recent blast in Patharpratima, South 24 Parganas, which resulted in eight fatalities, including three children. The crackdown aims to address ongoing safety concerns associated with unlicensed manufacturing.
Key Takeaways
- West Bengal Police initiated operations against illegal firecracker factories.
- Patharpratima blast resulted in eight deaths, including three children.
- 200 kg of illegal firecrackers seized during raids.
- Concerns over child labor in unlicensed factories.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep concern.
Kolkata, April 2 (NationPress) The West Bengal Police initiated extensive operations against unlawful factories on Wednesday after a tragic explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Patharpratima within South 24 Parganas, which resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including three children.
Historically, certain regions in the South 24 Parganas district have been known for firecracker production, often taking place in unlicensed factories.
There are serious allegations that these unauthorized facilities employ underage children at minimal wages.
Reports indicate that coordinated raids conducted throughout Wednesday led to the confiscation of 200 kilograms of illegal firecrackers and manufacturing materials, culminating in the arrest of three individuals.
On the same day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her distress over the Patharpratima explosion, attributing blame to the firecracker manufacturers for their carelessness.
The Chief Minister further revealed that she was informed about the presence of cooking gas and raw materials for firecracker production being stored in the same room of the residence in Patharpratima where the explosion occurred.
As of now, 48 hours have elapsed since the explosion, and one of the two accused co-owners of the property, Tushar Banik, remains at large. However, his elder brother Chandrakanta Banik is in police custody.
Earlier in February, an explosion at a firecracker factory in Kalyani, Nadia district resulted in the deaths of four individuals, with many others sustaining injuries.
In 2023 alone, nine people lost their lives in a similar blast at an illegal firecracker factory located in Egra, East Midnapore district. There have been other incidents over the past few years, such as explosions in Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas and Duttapukur in North 24 Parganas, resulting in multiple fatalities.
