Prayagraj : The death toll in the Kaushambi illegal firecracker factory explosion mounted to 13 on Tuesday, even as the prime accused was arrested following an early morning exchange of fire with the police.
Police said critically injured Rajesh Kumar (45), a resident of Madpur Manauri, succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Taking cognisance of the incident, IG (Prayagraj range) Ajay Kumar Mishra suspended seven policemen, including an SHO and six sub-inspectors, for allegedly allowing the firecracker unit to operate illegally despite its licence having been suspended in 2024. Naushad Ali (35), a joint team of Charwa police and SOG received information about Naushad’s movement near Kazipur turn as he was allegedly trying to escape from the town While zeroing in on the accused. Police recovered a country-made pistol of 0.315 bore, one live cartridge, two used cartridges and Rs 500 from his possession. Police said Naushad had obtained a licence for firecracker manufacturing and storage in Nov 2021 for five years, which was valid till Mar 31, 2026. A joint team of the administration and police inspected the site and detected irregularities at the godown, following which the licence was suspended in Apr 2024. A stockpile of explosive material turned a firecracker factory operating from a house in Kaushambi district into a death trap Monday, killing 11 people, including eight children, and critically injuring five after a chain of explosions tore through the building and neighbouring homes.
Police said no one else has been reported missing so far. During search operations in nearby areas, police also recovered some splintered body parts, which were collected for DNA sampling. Family members of Sunil Kumar, a worker at a nearby bundi factory, claimed that the body parts belonged to him. The police team surrounded him and asked him to surrender, but he opened fire twice at the police party. In retaliation, the cops also fired, leaving the accused injured. He was later admitted to the district hospital in Manjhanpur. Naushad, a resident of Mahmoodpur, confessed to police that he, along with his partners, was storing firecrackers illegally at a godown near Manauri power house. When he learnt that an explosion had taken place at the godown, he fled. Four of the children killed belonged to the same family.