West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Egra in East Midnapore district on Saturday to meet with the families affected by a tragic blast at an illegal firecracker factory in Khadikul village on May 16. Expressing her condolences and remorse, the Chief Minister apologized to the families and offered compensation in the form of financial assistance and government job opportunities.
During her visit, Mamata Banerjee handed out cheques amounting to ₹2.5 lakh to each victim’s family and assured them of a government job as compensation for their loss. The blast claimed the lives of ten individuals who were employees at the factory. The explosion was so severe that the bodies were charred and mutilated beyond recognition.
The owner of the factory, Krishnapada Bag, who was the eleventh victim, died in a hospital in neighboring Odisha shortly after his arrest. Subsequently, Bag’s wife and nephew were apprehended in connection with the incident. The Chief Minister had ordered a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on May 16, the day of the explosion.
Acknowledging the shortcomings in the handling of the factory and its repeated complaints, Mamata Banerjee admitted that senior police officers had no intelligence input on the factory, while the officer-in-charge (OC) of Egra police station failed to take action despite complaints from Khadikul residents. In response, she urged the local community to remain vigilant and report any instances of illegal firecracker manufacturing to the authorities. The Chief Minister emphasized that she would promptly address any inaction by police officers in such cases.
The incident has prompted the West Bengal government to take measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Banerjee announced the establishment of a committee headed by the chief secretary to address the issue. The government plans to set up clusters away from residential areas where firecracker factories can operate, specifically producing environment-friendly green crackers. The Chief Minister reassured workers in the industry that the government would take steps to prevent job losses.
The blast at the illegal firecracker factory has sparked a political controversy in Bengal. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president, Sukanta Majumdar, alleged that the factory was producing powerful bombs intended for use in violence during the upcoming panchayat polls. The BJP, which controls the local gram panchayat at Khadikul, moved the Calcutta High Court, demanding an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). However, the court directed the CID to continue its investigation.
Amid the political tensions, Mamata Banerjee emphasized that her visit was not politically motivated and expressed her grief for the affected families. She denounced attempts to politicize the incident and urged people not to jump to conclusions.
The compensation provided by the government, although it may not be substantial, was appreciated by the families affected. Gaurango Maity, who lost his son and brother in the blast, expressed gratitude for the financial assistance but emphasized the importance of securing a job for long-term stability.
The investigation into the blast at the illegal firecracker factory will continue, with the CID leading the efforts. The incident has highlighted the need for stricter regulations and better enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the affected families mourn their loved ones and begin the process of healing, the focus remains on ensuring justice, implementing safety measures, and supporting those affected by the devastating blast.
