Karnataka Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh R Nirani on Tuesday said strict measures will be put in place, so that only license holder will be allowed to use explosives for quarrying or mining, here on.

The death of the six individuals in the rock quarry near the Hirenagavalli village in Chikkaballapur, did not occur due to the explosion of the gelatine explosion. Chief Minister B.S Yediyurappa’s misgovernance, which seeks to legalize illegal mining has claimed these innocent lives”, accused Former Chief Minister, Congress leader Siddaramaiah.

Karnataka’s Minister for Home Affairs, Basavaraj Bommai said, “The State Government has taken the tragedy that occurred near the Hirenagavalli village in Chikkaballapur, very seriously. For an impartial investigation, we have handed over this case to the CID.”

KPCC President, D.K Shivakumar expressed outrage at the Chikkaballapur explosion and said, “The state government’s irresponsibility is the reason behind the loss of six lives that occurred in the gelatine explosion near Chikkaballapur’s illegal rock quarry. How many more innocent lives must be sacrificed to this government’s indifference?”

The district-in-charge and Health Minister, Dr. K. Sudhakar revealed that the police have already made two arrests in the case related to the explosion that occurred near the Hirenagavalli village in Chikkaballapur, which claimed the lives of six quarry workers. 

“The death of six people near the village of Hirenagavalli in Chikkaballapur, which killed six people, has caused great shock. Information is being obtained from the District In-charge Minister and senior officials, and they have been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation and take strictest action against the guilty”, Chief Minister B.S Yediyurappa said. 

Six people were killed when the gelatin sticks they were trying to dispose of exploded accidentally at a stone quarry site in a village here early on Tuesday, police said.

Bengaluru: Karnataka reported 317 new cases of COVID-19 and 5 related fatalities on Monday, taking the total number of infections to 9,48,466 and the death toll to 12,299.