Six killed while disposing of explosives meant for quarrying in Karnataka CID inquiry ordered

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Bengaluru/Chikkaballapur, Feb 23 (PTI) Six people were
killed when the gelatin sticks they were trying to dispose of
clandestinely exploded accidentally at a stone quarry site in
a village in Chikkaballapur early Tuesday, police said.
    The government has ordered a CID probe into the blast.
    Police said preliminary investigation indicated use
of petroleum gel and Ammonium Nitrate in the quarry that was
operating clandestinely and was closed a few days ago
following raids.
     The incident comes close on the heels of a similar
blast at a quarry site in Yediyurappa's hometown of Shivamogga
on January 22, which left six dead.
     Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar, who represents
the Chikkaballapur constituency, visited the spot and said the
bodies of the victims were badly mutilated and scattered all
over the place.
     Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences
to the families of the victims of the blast.
     "Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at
Chikkaballapur in Karnataka.Condolences to the bereaved
families.Praying that the injured recover quickly," he said.
     Expressing shock over the incident, Chief Minister
B S Yediyurappa said he has ordered a thorough investigation
into the case and directed the officials to take stringent
action against the guilty.
     "A high-level investigation into the incident is
underway and stringent action will be taken against the
guilty," he added.
".....Whoever is involved in illegal activities, we
will take merciless action," he said.
     Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai ordered a
CID inquiry into the blast after visiting the spot.
     According to police, the incident took place at
Hirenagavalli near Peresandra.
     Quarrying was stopped by the police on February 7
following complaints from the locals against rampant use of
gelatin sticks.
     Yet, it continued clandestinely following which
another raid was carried out a few days ago and the contractor
was warned not to use gelatin anymore.
     The men working there went in a vehicle to dispose
of the explosives early Tuesday when it went off accidentally.
     The driver of the vehicle who escaped with severe
injuries in the legs and hand told police that the victims
took him along carrying a bag with them.
     "They were holding a bag and asked me to drive the
vehicle to the forest.I remained seated in the vehicle but the
door was open.They went to a secluded place and suddenly the
blast occurred," the driver said.
     According to a statement issued by Bommai's office,
Sri Shirdi Sai Agencies owned the quarry spread over six
acres.
     While the mining was taking place in three acres, the
rest of the area had the stone crushing facility.
     Karnataka Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh R
Nirani said in a series of tweets that the government has been
taking stringent measures against illegal mining activities,
transportation and storage of explosives used for mining.
     "It's rather very unfortunate that the blast
occurred in Chikkaballapur before the wounds of the Shivamogga
blast have healed," Nirani said.
     The government will leave no stone unturned in
ensuring the safety of people in the mining areas, he
said,adding a thorough probe will be conducted to ascertain
the cause of the explosion and those responsible will be
punished.
     Nirani further said the government will provide all
necessary assistance to the kin of the deceased and injured.
     Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured, he
said senior officials were already at the spot and assessing
the situation.
     "I have learnt from the officials that the explosives
were stored before the Shivamogga blast.The culprits will not
be spared no matter how much influence they wield."
     The minister underlined the importance of training
skilled workers and creation of mining schools in Karnataka to
avoid such tragedies.
     The opposition Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular)
on Tuesday held the ruling BJP in the state responsible for
the blast.
     "The blast in Chikkaballapur which killed six people
occurred due to the irresponsible government. How many more
innocent lives should the government sacrifice?" Congress
Karnataka unit chief D K Shivakumar said in a statement.
     "The Chikkaballapur explosion within a month of the
Shivamogga gelatin explosion is a testament to the state
government's inaction, irresponsibility and collusion in this
illegality and corruption," leader of opposition Siddaramaiah
tweeted.
     The Congress party alleged in a statement that BJP
leaders were behind the illegalities just as they were
involved in Shivamogga and held Sudhakar directly responsible
for this incident.
     JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D
Kumaraswamy alleged many ministers and MLAs were involved in
the illegal quarrying across the state. PTI GMS BN
BN BN

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)