Two minor guest workers from Assam lost their lives in a devastating fire at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district. The tragic incident occurred on Friday evening near Sattur, leading to immediate police action and arrests.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The fatal accident took place at a farm in Sirukulam, located within the Sattur taluk. The property, owned by a local DMK functionary identified as Saravanakumar (48) and his wife Kavitha, housed an illicit operation. Officials confirmed that the building only had permission to operate a drinking water treatment plant, but was instead being used to manufacture cracker fuses illegally.
On Friday evening, while several minor workers from Assam were engaged in production, a sudden spark triggered by an electrical short circuit ignited the highly inflammable materials. The fire spread rapidly, trapping the workers inside. Shakibul Ali, aged 16, and Zaithul Hussain, aged 15, were charred to death on the spot. Their bodies were later sent to the Sattur Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Police Action and Arrests
Following the incident, the Appayanaickenpatti police swiftly registered a case against three individuals: property owners Saravanakumar and Kavitha, along with the unit supervisor, Perumal. Saravanakumar and Perumal were arrested on Saturday, the day after the fire. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the violations and whether more individuals were involved in running the hazardous unit.
Authorities highlighted that employing minors in such dangerous, unlicensed setups is a grave offence. The case underscores a severe lapse in industrial safety norms and labour laws, particularly concerning migrant workers from other states.
Broader Implications and Investigation
This tragedy has cast a spotlight on the prevalence of illegal manufacturing units operating under the guise of legitimate businesses in the region. The use of child labour in life-threatening environments remains a critical concern for law enforcement and social welfare departments.
The Virudhunagar district police have stated that further investigation is actively underway. They are examining the network of this illegal operation, including how the materials were sourced and where the finished products were distributed. This incident is expected to lead to stricter checks on licensed premises and a crackdown on similar illicit factories in the state.
