Crackers blast near manufacturing unit in Vitla; probe shows lack of permission for factory
Vitla: An incident of crackers blasting at a manufacturing unit in Kambalabettu Nooji near Vitla, causing shock among the local residents, came to light on Friday.
A similar incident was reported from Kore in Madattadka of Mudnooru village here last year, when crackers blasted in large numbers. In addition, heavy damage to the nearby environment was reported.
In a third incident, a cracker blast at Nooji several years ago resulted in the death of two workers.
People are now expressing fear as not only are high-volume explosion sounds being heard from the same place again, but fumes have also filled the air.
The crackers to be used during the festival at the local temple were reportedly manufactured and stocked by Gafur, a resident of Kambalabettu. The crackers, however, are said to have suddenly exploded due to the afternoon heat. No fatalities have been reported in the incident as neither workers nor residents were near the spot.
In 2017, two workers had died on the spot in an explosion that occurred near Gafur’s residence. Although a case had been filed, the court is yet to pass its judgment.
The explosion reported on Friday is learned to have occurred very close to the site that witnessed the blast in 2017.
Revenue Inspector Ravi, Vitla Police Inspector Prakash Devadiga, Sub-Inspector Ramakrishna and constables visited the spot and inspected it.
A primary investigation into the matter has revealed that no official permission had been issued for the manufacture of crackers in the area.
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Guarantee schemes model for empowering poor, Cong will return to power in 2028: Siddaramaiah
Mangaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday expressed confidence that the Congress government would return to power in the state in 2028.
He asserted that the five guarantee schemes introduced in 2023 have become a model for empowering the underprivileged, women, the unemployed and economically weaker sections, not just in the state but in the entire country.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a Kambala event at Muduru-Paduru in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, he said the welfare measures reflected the vision of the Congress government to strengthen social and economic democracy.
"The five guarantees were introduced with the sole objective of empowering the poor, marginalised and weaker sections of society. These schemes have now become a model for ensuring social and economic justice," he said.
Siddaramaiah said democracy should not remain confined to political representation alone but must also ensure social and economic empowerment.
"A democracy that is only political has little meaning unless it is socially and economically vibrant," he said, adding that the state government was working towards that goal.
The CM also praised senior Congress leader and former minister B Ramanath Rai, who organised the event, describing him as one of the most honest leaders and recalling his role in bringing developmental works worth about Rs 5,000 crore to the constituency during his tenure as MLA and minister.
Despite his contributions, Rai had lost the Assembly election from Bantwal, Siddaramaiah said, expressing hope that he would contest again from the constituency in 2028 and secure victory.
He also lauded the people of the coastal region for preserving traditional cultural practices and organising Kambala races, terming the slush track buffalo race a popular folk sport of the state.
