Five individuals, including the factory owner, have been apprehended in connection with the tragic explosion at a rod manufacturing facility in Assam’s Cachar district, which resulted in the deaths of four workers. The arrests were made on the orders of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the police probe into the industrial mishap intensifies. Among those detained is the owner of the company, Rakesh Kumar Surana, along with others involved in the factory’s operations.
A case has been filed, and investigations are ongoing, with a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory visiting the site to gather evidence for determining the events leading to the explosion. The fatal incident occurred when molten metal exploded within the factory’s processing unit, causing the immediate death of four workers. The blast, heard throughout the area, resulted in severe injuries to the victims, whose bodies were badly mutilated.
The deceased workers have been identified as Appu Boraik, Kiron Munda, Shyamal Gaur, and Sagar Nath from Tripura. Following confirmation of their deaths by doctors at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, post-mortem examinations were conducted. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, rescuing several injured workers and providing medical attention to those in need.
The Assam government has pledged Rs 5 lakh each as ex gratia for the families of the deceased workers. Udharband MLA Rajdeep Goala, along with Cachar Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta, handed over the financial aid to the grieving families and assured them of government support. Investigations are underway, including a magisterial inquiry, police investigation, and a separate probe by the Labour Department to determine the cause of the explosion and assess compliance with safety protocols.
Residents have alleged previous unreported explosions at the factory, with family members of a deceased worker claiming initial attempts by management to downplay the severity of the incident. These allegations will be scrutinized as part of the ongoing investigation, with authorities emphasizing legal action against any negligence or safety protocol violations. The incident has underscored the importance of workplace safety and regulatory enforcement in Assam.
