Bengal Factory Blast: 7 Killed, Several Feared Trapped. BJP Writes To Amit Shah Seeking NIA Probe. Top Points

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari teared into the West Bengal government, accusing CM Banerjee of “protecting thieves” in her Cabinet, and meeting Muslim preachers.

Rescue operation underway after a blast at a firecraker factory at Duttapukur, in North 24 Parganas district.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: At least seven people were killed and several others injured in a blast at a house allegedly used illegally as a firecracker factory in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas on Sunday. The impact of the explosion was such that not only did the house where the factory was operating turn into a heap of rubble, but it also damaged some of the neighbouring houses.

Meanwhile, BJP state unit chief Sukanta Majumdar wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting an NIA probe into the incident, news agency ANI reported. 

West Bengal | West Bengal BJP President Dr Sukanta Majumdar writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting an NIA investigation into the incidents of explosion in Duttapukur. pic.twitter.com/EwDXDk2LU0

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2023

In the wake of the incident, which took place in Duttapukur area, around 30km from Kolkata, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused chief minister Mamata Banerjee of “protecting thieves” in her Cabinet. The ruling Trinamool Congress, however, said the government had earlier formed an SIT as a part of its crackdown on such "illegal" units and if there are factories that are still operating illegally, they will be busted soon.   

#WATCH | West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visited the explosion site in the Duttapukur area. pic.twitter.com/Nl8Dokv8X5

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2023

Here are the key developments:

• According to a report by news agency PTI, the explosion occurred when several people were working at the firecracker factory. Several women and children were among those injured, police said, as reported by PTI.
• Several people were feared trapped under the debris, police said, adding rescue and relief operation was underway. Firefighters were also working to douse the fire that broke out as a result of the blast, PTI reported.
• BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari teared into the West Bengal government, accusing CM Banerjee of “protecting thieves” in her Cabinet, and meeting Muslim preachers, ANI reported.
• “This is not an isolated incident. The entire state has turned into the storehouse of powder kegs. There is no monitoring of illegal activities by the police. These firework units are patronised by local TMC leaders. The chief minister had promised to close these illegal cracker-manufacturing factories but she is busy protecting the thieves in her government and hosting Imams instead. She is holding meeting with Muslim preachers,” ANI quoted Adhikari as saying.
• Reacting to the incident, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said the explosion shows the state government has given free rein on the use of explosives.
• “The amount in which the explosives are found it is clear that Bengal government has given the permission to use explosives wherever one wants. Traders in explosives are given complete freedom to run their business. This has resulted in a series of deaths and blasts. This shows a failure of the Bengal government,” Chowdhury told ANI.
• Earlier, BJP state unit chief Sukanta Majumdar also slammed the government, alleging the suspected agents of Pakistan’s ISI were not only taking refuge in West Bengal but also using it as a base for their anti-national activities. His remarks came in the wake of the arrest of a 36-year-old man in Kolkata, allegedly working as a spy for Pakistan.
• According to a PTI report, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen said that the Bengal government had formed a SIT, which busted several illegal firework units over the last few months. "If there are some units still functioning illegally, those will also be busted soon," he told the news agency.
• Meanwhile, locals ransacked the house of one of the owners of the factory following the explosion, PTI reported.