Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Jan 31: The two individuals, Syed Basheer of Venur, owner of Solid Fire Wax, and Kiran of Hassan, involved in the fire cracker plant explosion near Goliangadi in Kadtyaru farm, Venur, who taken into police custody for further investigation, were presented in court in connection with the incident. A case under the Explosive Substances Act 1884 has been registered based on a complaint filed by a local resident named Shanti, and the Venur police station is currently conducting the investigation.

To ensure public safety, the deactivation of the firecrackers in the unit requires court permission. The warehouse is currently under the protection of local police and a contingent of district armed forces.

In response to the incident, MLC Harish Kumar and the bishop visited the explosion site to assess the situation and gathered information from the police officers. They demanded appropriate legal action, and the bishop of Beltangady, Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, expressed condolences to the affected housemates and urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. He also called on the government to provide adequate compensation to the victims.

MLA Harish Poonja assisted an elderly couple, Venkappa and Kamala, who were affected by the incident, by repairing their roof and making their home liveable after it collapsed in the cold night.

In light of the explosion, a team led by tahsildar Prithvi Sanikam and fire brigade regional officer Ranganath conducted inspections of firecracker shops in Beltangady. This action followed the deputy commissioner decision to cancel temporary licenses for firecracker sales and warehouse stores as a precautionary measure. Fireworks sale and stock warehouses in nine parts of the taluk have been issued notices and locked.