The West Bengal BJP on Tuesday demanded a thorough investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to uncover the truth behind the massive explosion at an illegal fire-cracker factory at Egra in East Midnapore district in which nine persons lost their lives and several sustained injuries, some of them critically, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made it clear that she has no issue if the NIA probes the cracker unit blast incident.
Dashing off a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar said, ” Wrote to Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShahji to request comprehensive investigation into the bomb blast incident in Egra, West Bengal. The blast has raised serious concern about the safety of the residents of the area and this matter need serious attention. ”
In the letter addressed to the home minister Majumdar wrote, “I am writing to bring to your attention the recent horrific bomb blast incident that occurred in Egra block of East Medinipur, West Bengal, and to respectfully request a thorough investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to uncover the truth behind this devastating incident.”
He said, ” According to the available information, a bomb-making factory in Khadikul village of Sahara Gram panchayat area in Egra was involved in the tragic explosion. The gravity of the situation is further exacerbated by reports suggesting the presence of numerous illegal firecracker manufacturing factories in the vicinity… the blast raises concerns about the safety and security of the area’s residents and the potential threat posed by such illegal activities ”
” Considering the sensitivity and complexity of the case I earnestly request your kind intervention to direct the NIA to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the Egra bomb blast, ” the BJP MP from Balurghat stated.
Majumdar tweeted, ” In Egra block, East Medinipur, a huge bomb blast took place in which several people have lost life & many injured. “
He alleged that this happened in the factory of a TMC leader where bombs were being made and said this raised serious law and order situation before the Panchayat election in the state.
” Is TMC manufacturing bombs at large scale to scare the people before the Panchayat election? ” Majumdar questioned.
” Failure CM @MamataOfficial must answer. Request @AmitShahji to take cognisance of this incident and investigate this matter, ” he stated.
” Public has zero trust on TMC govt, ” he averred.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari tweeted, “Huge explosion in Sahara Village in Egra; Purba Medinipur, at the local “Regional Tola-Mool Party” leader Krishnapada Bag’s (alias Bhanu) house. “
” I am receiving news from the ground that the number of casualties is enormous. Immediately Central Forces should be deployed as dead bodies are being shifted illegally by Mamata Police, ” he alleged.
Adhikari urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah, State Governor C V Ananda Bose and NIA to initiate investigation as early as possible before evidence is “tampered”.
” This is the IC of Egra; Mr. Mousam Chakraborty. He is the one to be blamed for today’s horrific incident. The Mamata Police cadre was on the payroll of the perpetrator Krishnapada Bag. Mamata Police personnel Surajit Sinha & Biswajit Maity acted as emissary between the two. They collected Rs. 50,000/- every month from the perpetrator in exchange for the ‘licence’ & immunity for carrying out illegal activities such as stocking up explosives. Also look how the Regional Tola-Mool Party workers are shifting the dead bodies, ” the BJP MLA from Nandigram added.
The Chief Minister in a presser at the State Secretariat Nabanna soon after the incident announced a compensation of Rs 2.5 Lac to the next of kin of the deceased and ordered for a CID probe into the incident.
Banerjee said the factory was illegal and the culprits will be arrested even if they fled to neighbouring Odisha.
The IC of the local police station will be taken to task for not keeping the information about this illegal fire-cracker factory.
She asked local party MLAs Manas Bhunia and Tarun Kumar Maity to take stock of the situation.
She further informed that the jurisdiction under which the incident took place falls under the BJP-controlled Panchayat.
The Chief Minister also wondered how come the owner of the factory, who was arrested during Diwali, got bail.
She said, “ I have no problem. NIA can investigate but they should book the real culprits. We have already started an investigation. A CID team led by ADG Gyanwant Singh headed to Egra. They will start an investigation. ”
The injured were rushed to Egra Superspeciality Hospital, where their condition was stated to be critical.
The impact of the explosion was so severe that the factory collapsed completely and the bodies lay scattered all over.
