Kota: Illegal Firecracker Factory Busted in Baran After Local Complaints
Acting on persistent complaints from residents, the district administration and police in Kota took decisive action on Friday, raiding and busting an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit operating under the guise of a warehouse and sales outlet. The unit, located on Atru Road under the jurisdiction of Baran City Police Station in Baran district, was found to be functioning without the necessary licences, posing severe safety hazards in a crowded residential area.
Safety Risks and Illegal Operations
Officials revealed that the facility, reportedly operating as "Khandelwal Agency," was manufacturing firecrackers without a valid licence in a densely populated zone along the roadside. The premises critically lacked mandatory fire safety equipment and firefighting arrangements, despite its proximity to residential houses and wheat fields. While the owner presented a licence for sales and storage, materials used in manufacturing and assembly were discovered on-site, indicating ongoing illegal production.
Local residents described the situation as akin to sitting on a "powder keg," where even a minor spark could trigger a catastrophic tragedy. The matter escalated after repeated complaints by local resident Bhanu Pratap Singh, who warned of self-immolation if no action was taken and directly alerted the police. Singh claimed to have lodged complaints through the Chief Minister's portal and escalated the issue up to Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that no concrete steps had been taken until now.
Official Inspection and Findings
Later in the day, a joint inspection was conducted by Baran SDM Vishwajeet Singh, trainee RPS Bhajanlal (also in-charge of Baran City Police Station), and municipal council commissioner Bhuvnesh Kumar. Their on-site visit uncovered the irregularities and confirmed the illegal operation of firecracker manufacturing.
Bhajanlal stated, "During the inspection, it was found that firecracker manufacturing was being carried out illegally under the cover of a storage warehouse licence. No valid documents related to factory operations for manufacturing firecrackers were produced." He added, "Although no workers were present at the time of inspection, clear evidence of firecracker manufacturing was found at the site."
Actions Taken and Ongoing Investigation
Following the initial inquiry, authorities sealed three godowns of the factory and registered a case under the Explosive Act. Further investigation is currently underway to determine the full extent of the illegal activities and identify those responsible. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the case.
This incident highlights the critical importance of adhering to safety regulations in hazardous industries and underscores the role of vigilant citizens in bringing such risks to light. The swift action by officials aims to prevent potential disasters and ensure public safety in the region.
