Boy loses hands, four others hurt while making crackers

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 8

A boy lost his hands, while another one was injured in his legs while making “desi” firecrackers in Shiv Colony here on Thursday. Three other children received serious burn injuries.

Residents said the children were beating potassium nitrate and other chemicals on the roof of their house when an explosion took place.

On hearing the explosion, their parents rushed to the roof and took the children to Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College and Hospital (KCGMCH).

The injured have been identified as Vishnu, Laxman, Ravi, Shivam and Rajesh, all aged between 11 and 15.

Doctors referred Vishnu, who lost his hands, and Laxman, whose legs were mutilated, to the PGIMER, Chandigarh. Their faces were also burnt.

The other three are under treatment in the KCGMCH.

Vishnu’s brother Karan said Vishnu and Laxman had been operated upon.

“The police visited the injured children in the PGIMER but, due to their condition, their statement could not be recorded,” said Jaswinder Tuli, incharge, Ram Nagar police post.

13 arrested for bursting crackers after 10 pm

Panipat: The police arrested 13 persons for allegedly bursting crackers after 10 pm on Diwali night. They have been booked under various Sections of the Explosive Act. Meanwhile, six fire incidents were reported on Diwali here.