A day after a fatal blast that claimed nine lives at an illicit firecracker manufacturing unit in Duttapukur, West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the State’s Home and Police Ministry, conceded that local police personnel were complicit with those operating unlawful firework facilities. Speaking at an event for her party’s youth wing at Esplanade, Banerjee referenced the Duttapukur tragedy and voiced concern about the conduct of local police officers. She stated, “Without their involvement, such incidents cannot occur. I’ve urged our senior police officials to heighten their vigilance.”
On the ground in Duttapukur, residents accused a collaboration among factory owners, local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, and the police. When residents reported stockpiles of banned fireworks, the police dismissed their concerns by claiming the storage was for potatoes. Some locals revealed that TMC leaders threatened them with narcotics charges if they persisted with complaints.
Following allegations of active involvement in illegal firework operations, the State Government suspended Subhabrata Ghosh, the Inspector-in-Charge of Dattapukur, and Himadri Dogra, the Officer-in-Charge of Nilganj outpost. Forensic experts collected samples from the site on Monday, where body parts were found scattered after the blast. A police officer confirmed one arrest and ongoing investigations.
The explosion, which injured the house’s owner Sheikh Samsul Ali, led to the collapse of three buildings and the damage of three others. Earth-moving equipment was deployed to clear debris amid concerns of potential buried bodies.
Leader of the Opposition and BJP legislator, Suvendu Adhikari, has vociferously called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the recent blast incident. During his visit to the blast site, he remarked, “Trinamool mean Bomamool,” alluding to the Trinamool Congress party. Adhikari stressed that the State Government must expediently transfer the investigation to the NIA to prevent evidence from being compromised. In addition to this, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been lodged before the Calcutta High Court. Adhikari underscored that the Centre’s involvement necessitates the application of relevant sections of the Explosives Act.
