Una Himachal Firecracker Factory Blast - Feb 2022

Will there be accountability if negligence by government officials is confirmed?

Summary

A. Arrests: FOUR

1. Rohit Puri (Main accused)

2. Deepak Kumar Rana (Factory Manager)

3. Gulfam Mohammad (Labor Contractor who supplied labour to factory).

4. Brother of Gulfam Mohammed

B. Loss of Life: ELEVEN [Accurate names difficult to get].

C. Injured: TEN +

(Initially treated at Sian Hospital, Bathri, then shifted to Regional Hospital Una. Seriously injured shifted to PGI Chandigarh)

D. Factory Owner: Not Identified.

E. Factory Location: Una, Sub Division: Haroli, Industrial Area: Bathu (Google Map).

F. Miscellaneous Information (needs verification).

• The factory was being run illegally.

• The factory was not registered with the industries department.

• Used illegal electricity connection to steal power.

• Weighing machines were being made in the factory about a year ago.

Investigations by:

• HP Police SIT formed

• Magisterial probe by Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Haroli.

• CM ordered inquiry by DC. Sought report within a week.

FIR: Under Section 286 and 304A of IPC and Section 9 of the Explosives Act.

Likely Accountability:

• Village Head

• District Industries Department

• Controller of Explosives

• GST Team

• Electricity Department

• Owner of Land

Links:

1. Indian Express

2. Hindustan Times

3. NDTV

4. The Tribune

5. Outlook

6. Amar Ujala

7. The Print