Gujarat: Illegal structures at Ahmedabad firecracker blast site demolished

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Ahmedabad, July 19 (IANS) Authorities on Sunday demolished the illegally constructed structures at the firecracker factory in Ahmedabad where an explosion killed nine people, as police expanded their action against unauthorised firecracker manufacturing units across the city.

In an official statement, Gujarat Police said the demolition was carried out at the site of Saturday’s explosion in Vastral village under the jurisdiction of Ramol Police Station.

“The action was undertaken under the guidance of Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, Joint Police Commissioner (Sector-2) Jaipal Singh Rathore and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-8) Mayur Patil,” the statement read.

The police said legal demolition proceedings had been initiated against the unauthorised structure at the site of the incident and added that “further investigation and action against other illegally operating firecracker factories are also currently underway.”

The demolition follows a series of actions launched after the explosion at the ‘New Gujarat Fire Works’ unit on Ramol-Gatrad Road behind the Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp.

The blast claimed the lives of nine workers and left six others seriously injured, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving police, RAF personnel and the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services.

Police have alleged that the factory was operating illegally despite its licence having expired and not being renewed.

Investigators said the unit had resumed manufacturing firecrackers in recent weeks to fulfil orders for the upcoming Ganesh festival.

A case has been registered at Ramol Police Station under Sections 105, 287, 288 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 5(A) and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and Section 9(B) of the Explosives Act, 1884.

Police have arrested factory operator Ramila Dodia, her son Mehul Dodia, who allegedly managed the factory, and their alleged partner Sadiq Saiyed.

Investigators are also examining the role of other individuals involved in the unit’s operations, including the source of the explosives and compliance with safety regulations.

Earlier, the city police commissioner constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mayur Patil, with Assistant Commissioner of Police Y.A. Gohil and Ramol Police Inspector V.D. Mori as members.

The three-member SIT has been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation in coordination with the Forensic Science Laboratory, explosives experts, the Fire Department, the Labour Department, and other agencies, and to submit a progress report within 10 days.

The latest demolition forms part of a broader crackdown on illegal firecracker manufacturing units.

Since the blast, the police, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, and the Fire Department have been conducting inspections in the city’s peripheral areas, identifying and sealing unauthorised units as the investigation into one of the city’s deadliest industrial accidents in recent years continues.

–IANS

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