Pramesh S Jain
At least six people are feared dead in a blast at a quarry site at Hirenagaveli village,Chikkaballapur district,in the intervening hours between Monday and Tuesday.
Initial reports says,The explosion caused while transporting gelatine sticks to conceal in the forest area led to mishap.
FSL preliminary investigation revealed that explosion occurred while carrying them.
Bodies of persons employees of the quarry shattered into piece’s beyond recognition.
It may be recalled on feb 7 the police led by SP mithun Kumar raided the quarry and sealed before confiscating the explosions.A case registered in Gudibande police station.
But the crushers owned by three persons including local owner Nagaraj posses illegal explosives and wanted to concealed it in the forest area.He reportedly instructed his staff to carry them and hide it in forest area.
As per the instructions the staff including Abhi who worked as accountant in the firm carried the explosives late in the night in a tata ace goods vehicle.He led the vehicles on his bike.
His family told the police that Abhi was at home and went out after getting a call stating he had some work to do.
The police are now initiated probe on who had called abhi.Nagaraj and two of his business partners from Andhra Pradesh are absconding .
The police are now probing the source of the explosives says a senior officer.
High level probe ordered:
Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa has said that a high level probe is going on into the incident.
In a tweet,the Chief Minister said that stringent action would be initiated against the guilty after the completion of inquiry.In another tweet, the chief minister said a high-level inquiry was underway.
Leaders react:
Health Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar, in-charge of the district,visited the spot along with, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai,with senior officers as, ADGP,Prathap Reddy and IG Central Range, Chandrashekhar, and after inspecting the area promised action against those responsible for the incident he said.
Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai also visited the spot and said a stern action will be taken on those who are responsible for it and the case has been transferred to CID to further investigation and I have ordered a high level probe and asked them to handover the report within 24 hours .
Murugesh Nirani,Minister for Mining and Geology, said that culprits will be brought to book.We will take measures to ensure that only licence holders can carry out blasts and illegal activities are checked,he said.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president,DK.Shivakumar,meanwhile,said that it is the indifference and irresponsibility of the government that has led to such an incident recurring.The government is busy sorting it’s own internal troubles and has no time to ensure that crucial law enforcement issues are addressed,he said in a statement.
PM Modi expresses pain over loss of lives:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pain over loss of lives in the incident.
Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at Chikkaballapur in Karnataka. Condolences to the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover quickly,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter.
