more-in Following an explosion at the cracker manufacturing unit in Vitla resulting in the death of two persons on Monday, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha has ordered suspension of the unit’s licence. The unit operators have been asked to pay compensation to the family members of the two victims. Abdul Azeem (24) and Sundara Poojary (39) died following the explosion in the shed of the cracker manufacturing unit in a secluded place in Kamblabettu village near Vitla. The two victims were working in the unit of Abdul Shukoor, who is one among the seven persons in the district having licence to manufacture crackers. This unit has been functioning since 2006 and the licence was due for renewal on April 1 this year. Mr. Jagadeesha told The Hindu on Wednesday that notice has been issued to cancel the licence granted to Mr. Shukoor. His application for renewal license will not be considered in light of the incident. Mr. Shukoor has been asked to pay suitable compensation to dependants of the two victims. Mr. Jagadeesha said that action has also been taken to cancel licenses of other cracker manufacturing units which have failed to renew their licences after its expiry, in the district. There are 25 units in the district which have licence to manufacture explosives. This is in addition to seven units having licence for manufacturing crackers. Following a meeting of Superintendent of Police Bhushan Gulabrao Borase with officials from Revenue, Fire and Mines and Geology departments on Wednesday, Mr. Jagadeesha said that a checklist on safety precautions to be taken by the licensed units has been prepared. A team of four officials will be visiting each one of these units to review them. Police action Mr. Borase said that the Vitla police have registered a case against Mr. Shukoor, who is staying abroad, and his brother Gafoor under Section 304 (a) of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 9 (B) of Explosives Act. Apart from looking at reports that the site of explosion was not the place for which licence was granted, the police will find the cause of the explosion and also check whether all mandatory safety precautions had been complied with by the operators. Mr. Borase said that jurisdictional police inspectors have been directed to look at safety precautions that temple committees have to take for the use of crackers during the upcoming temple fairs.

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