Blast in firecracker factory in Lucknow, two killed
Lucknow (PTI): At least two people were killed and five others injured in a blast at a firecracker factory operating from a house in Gudamba area here on Sunday, police said.
The blast in Behta area of Gudamba at around 12 noon also damaged adjacent houses.
"The blast occurred in a house where the cracker factory was operating from. Two persons have been killed in the incident and some are injured," Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anindya Vikaram Singh said.
A part of the roof collapsed following the explosion, trapping five individuals under the debris. The five have been pulled out of the rubble and rushed to a hospital.
District Magistrate Vishak G, who along with senior police officials visited the blast site, said, "Condition of two of the injured remains critical. The remaining three injured are stable".
The blast was so strong that it also affected the adjacent houses.
"At least four other houses beside the one in which the blast occurred have been damaged in the blast," the DM said.
"Our first priority is to ensure that the injured get adequate medical care. Once that is done our teams will look into the reasons behind the incident and those involved in it," he said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He has also instructed officials to reach the site immediately to expedite relief and rescue efforts.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
