Administration fears third victim may have died

Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 11

In a major fire at Dera Bassi-based Punjab Chemicals and Crop Protection Limited (PCCPL), the local administration has doubts over the third missing person being alive.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune the Mohali Deputy Commissioner (DC), Girish Dayalan said, “The administration has no clue whether the third person standing with Sukhwinder Singh and Vicky is alive or not.”

“Certainly there are very grim chances of the third person being alive, but there is no official confirmation in this regard so far,” the DC added.

A major fire had broken out in parts of the PCCPL factory following an explosion in a tanker of highly inflammable chemical (toluene) yesterday.

Meanwhile, the local police have registered an FIR under Section 304 A, IPC, against Avtar Singh Saini, director of the company, its owner and other management officials.

Confirming the development, Mohali SSP Harcharan Singh Bhullar said, “Investigation in the case is on. We have booked the persons concerned in the matter. If needed, more sections of other Acts will be added to the FIR.”

A complaint in this regard was lodged by Pawan Kumar, father of one of the deceased, the SSP added.

The local administration revealed identity of second deceased as Vicky Kumar, a resident of Bijanpur, another worker in the company.

“The third missing person has been identified as Ricky (30). At the time of incident he was on duty with the two deceased. His whereabouts are still unknown after the incident,” the DC said.

The Dera Bassi Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Pooja Syal, also visited the spot to take stock of the situation. She said debris at the spot was being checked properly to find any clue about the third missing person.

According to sources, the blast had occurred in the ACF intermediate plant at about 11 am yesterday following which major fire had broken on the factory premises. There were series of blasts in the factory and their intensity was so strong that windows panes of nearby houses were shattered.

DC orders inquiry

Meanwhile, Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan has ordered an inquiry into the incident. “I came to know that it was not the first such incident here. I have marked an inquiry and sought report,” the DC said.

Condition of Two still critical 

Of the total seven injured persons in the fire incident, two workers are in critical condition. The injured persons include Manpreet Singh, Akshay, Mandip Singh, Dharamjit Singh, Jasbir, Sukhwinder Singh and Chanderpal. Dharamjit, who sustained 60 per cent burn injuries, is said to be in a critical condition.

Meeting of senior officials called

The Mohali DC has also called a meeting of senior officials of the Fire and Industry Departments to review the situation. “The area witnesses repeated fire incidents in factories here. We have to put our best foot forward to check the menace,” the DC said.