Fresh allegations have arisen against the operators of the firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad’s Ramol area where nine individuals lost their lives in an explosion. Relatives of a victim revealed that the business had been running for approximately 25 years. Workers were allegedly recruited through debt, and a similar fatal blast occurred at the same site about 14 years ago without significant repercussions.
Narendra Chunara, a resident of Rajiv Nagar Tekra in Ramol, stated that the unit was managed by Mehul Dodiya and Ramila Dodiya. He recounted the tragic incident where his younger brother lost his life in a blast at the same factory in 2014. Chunara claimed that the factory was illegal and that his family had to borrow money from the operators due to financial difficulties.
According to Chunara and his wife Varsha, workers were coerced into working until their loans of Rs 25,000-30,000 were repaid. They alleged that Mehul Dodiya was present at the factory before the recent explosion but left soon after. The couple also mentioned that no substantial action was taken after the 2014 blast, despite filing a police complaint, and they felt threatened at the police station.
The explosion took place at a firecracker manufacturing and processing unit on Ramol-Gatrad Road in Ahmedabad’s Mehmudpura area, resulting in the death of nine individuals and injuring six others. Authorities indicated that the unit was operating illegally, and investigations into the cause of the blast and the factory’s activities are ongoing. Firefighters managed to control the blaze, and the injured are receiving treatment at L.G. Hospital and Asarwa Civil Hospital.
