36 Jailed In Mandi Hooch Tragedy, Probe In Una Firecracker Tragedy To Be Completed Within 7 Days: CM

Shimla, Feb 24: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said state government would deal with the perpetrators sternly in Mandi and Una tragedies which killed 13 people as the high level probe is being conducted after lodging FIRs under various sections of IPCs, Excise and Explosive act. He was issuing a statement on the issue of firecrackers tragedy on which Congress and CPM members raised concern in the house Thursday. He said so far 36 people arrested in the Mandi Hooch tragedy are behind bars as none of them got bail so far. The Government would not spare anyone who may have affiliation with any political parties including the ruling government.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said after completing the investigation in Una illegal firecracker factory with in seven days the concerned minister would give a statement in the house and anyone found responsible would not be spared and a lesson would be taught in a way so that no one think of doing such an act in the future. Mr Thakur said six women died in industrial Area Bathu , Tahliwal District Una in an incident of explosion in the firecracker factory on February 22 , 2022, at 0900 hours . He said there was an explosion in the Bathri firecracker factory.

He said soon after the explosion a police team under the in-charge Chowki Tahliwal immediately reached the spot. Chief minister who holds the portfolio of home said the owner of the factory where the explosion took place is still at large. He said proper arrangements were not done for the maintenance of the explosives substances stock or filled inside the firecracker factory. The owner who ran away from the spot was booked under section 286,337, 304A, IPC, and section 9C, under the Explosives Act, in the FIR registered in the police station Haroli.

In view of the seriousness of the matter, the DGP constituted SIT which was led by Sumeda Dwivedi, DIG North range and Commandant 1st IRB Bangarh Mr Vimukt Ranjan, and SP Una Mr Arjit Sen Thakur, were made members of the team. Understanding the gravity of the matter, SIT took quick action and closely inspected the spot, photographs of the spot were taken and important physical, documentary and other evidence and the spot of crime has been sealed. Bomb disposal team inspected the spot to confirm the cause of the explosion and the type of explosive. He said the firecrackers factory was running under the face of Noratech Engineers Ludhiana illegally. He said that premises of the factory was earlier used by the Novatech Engineers Ludhiana which was later found illegally, without any registration This factory is located in Khasra No. 409.

In the above case, SIT arrested the manager of the above factory, Deepak Kumar Rana, into custody on Feb 23, 2022. Police have seized a huge quantity of firecrackers, gunpowder and packing material by raiding two places of the accused. The total recovered Gun Powder is 1926.05 Kg and Paint is 90 Liters. A laptop and a car have also been seized by the police. Apart from this, three teams have been sent to the outskirts for the arrest of two to five people on the basis of CDR location of the suspects which are constantly raiding their possible bases.

The post-mortem of six people killed in the above incident has been done in Una Hospital and the body has been handed over to their relatives. Out of 14 injured in the blast, 10 patients were referred to P.G.I. Chandigarh in critical condition. Police teams is after four accused who are said to be factory owner as police team is fanning to raid them at various possible places. Seven suspects and witnesses were interrogated by the SIT and raid was done in the warehouse of MBBS Trading Company in Barnala where the manufactured fire crackers were being sent from the fire cracker factory. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur blamed the Leader of Opposition trying to divert the attention of the house by blaming the Government to protect the people involved in crime.

It is not fair and dignified on behalf of Congress leaders to drag anyone to controversy without verifying the allegations. BJP has never given protection to such elements who are involved in such crime or supported them at all. He said government is taking action against the perpetrators of crime without discriminating their political affiliations as matter is related to the death of many people have lost lives in such incidents. The Chief Minister said ten people have died during the Una hooch tragedy and people did not get justice so far. CM said it is not fare to name anyone in the house about sex racket. He said two issues are entirely different from Mandi hooch and Fire cracker tragedies could not be equated. Defending the state government and its functionary over taking photos in the public functions with some of perpetrators of crime Mr Thakur said former NSUI general secretary was involved in the Mandi hooch tragedy but it does not mean that he would get the special treatment while dealing with the laws as he was treated by the investigation agency and persecutions similarly as treated other accused.

Industry minister Vikram Singh said an illegal firecracker factory was issued in the name of Novatech factory but it was not supplied with power and water connections. The firm did not run the factory after taking permission under sec 118. He said that Novatech was registered with the Industry department when the Leader of Opposition was industry minister. He said that no firm was granted permission to set up industry without submitting legal documents as alleged by the leader of opposition. He said the Government could not ensure to implement the labour laws as the firms were not given license by the Government. He said 100 meter away from Bathri firecracker factory another unregistered industry was also covered. Earlier raising this issue in the house Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said if any illegal factory is going in the state it should be in the knowledge of the concerned department as Gram Panchayat and local representatives are not authorised or could not inspect such a unit in their respective industrial areas. He said Novatech was registered in the state with regards to setting up the ‘Dharam Kanta'(Weighbridges) during the Congress rule. He raised the temperature of the house when he blamed some senior members of the minister of houses without naming that some of the criminals involved in the hooch tragedy have taken photographs should not be given protections. Mr Mukesh Agnihotri also pointed out that a sex racket suspect had taken photo with CMs. He said those who have been tried to be seen too close to the VIPs in the past showing affinity with the Senior Ruling and BJP leaders should not be given protection. U