Kanpur: Two employees who were severely injured in a gas cylinder blast at Shiv Shambhu Sweet House in Muradganj, Auraiya, on Sept 13 died during treatment, prompting their families to refuse to perform the last rites until the establishment’s owner is arrested and the shop is sealed.
One of the victims, Shivam (18), who was critically injured in the blast, was taken to Delhi for treatment, according to police. He died on Sept 30. Another employee, Vipin (16), also succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Police have registered a case against the shop owner, Manoj Kumar alias Chhunna, his brother Ashutosh Kumar , and their father, Ramesh Chandra Porwal. Joint magistrate and Ajitmal sub-divisional magistrate Vinod Kumar Meena reached the village along with a large police contingent and held talks with the families. He assured them of govt housing, subject to eligibility, and financial assistance or compensation under relevant govt schemes. The families, however, maintained that they would not perform the last rites until all the accused are arrested and the establishment is sealed. Police have been deployed in the area amid tension.
The victims’ families staged a protest on Saturday after the bodies were brought to the village.