A devastating explosion at an illegally operated firecracker manufacturing unit in Sangli district claimed the lives of two young men on Monday afternoon. The blast, which completely destroyed the makeshift factory, sent shockwaves through the rural community of Bhalavani village in Khanapur taluka.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The tragic event unfolded in a unit that was producing various types of fireworks, including sparklers, flowerpots, spinners, and rockets, without any legal authorization. The force of the explosion was so intense that local residents reported feeling it within a one-kilometer radius, highlighting the dangerous magnitude of the blast that left the structure in ruins.
The two victims, who suffered severe burns, were rushed to the civil hospital in Vita for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, both succumbed to their injuries while undergoing care. The police have identified the deceased as 35-year-old Amin Amar Mulla from Chichani Ambak in Kadegaon tehsil and 25-year-old Altaf Mansoor Mulla from Bhalwani.
Police Investigation Reveals Gross Negligence
Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipul Patil, who inspected the site, stated that the preliminary investigation uncovered several alarming lapses. The factory was set up illegally, and the workers employed there had received no formal training in the delicate and hazardous process of manufacturing or handling firecrackers. Furthermore, the unit lacked even the most basic fire safety measures, creating a tinderbox environment.
Following the investigation, the Vita police have registered a case against Mansoor Kamruddin Mulla, the landowner who established the illegal operation. He has been charged under multiple serious sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Indian Explosives Act. The charges include:
- Causing death by negligence (Section 125)
- Negligent conduct concerning machinery (Section 287)
- Negligent conduct concerning building structure (Section 288)
- Abetment and liability (Section 324(5))
Broader Implications and Community Impact
This incident casts a harsh light on the perilous underground industry of illegal firecracker manufacturing, which often operates in rural areas with little regard for worker safety or legal protocols. The deaths of two young individuals underscore the human cost of such negligent enterprises. The case serves as a grim reminder for authorities to intensify crackdowns on unauthorized units that bypass safety regulations, especially in the lead-up to festivals when demand for fireworks peaks. The local community in Bhalavani is left grappling with the aftermath of a preventable tragedy that has shattered the peace of the village.
