Explosive chemicals were stored at cracker godown: Lab report

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, November 7

A report of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Mohali, has confirmed the presence of dangerous chemicals in samples taken from Sullar Gharat firecracker godown, where a blast had killed seven persons on September 19.

Sources said after blast on September 19, the Sangrur police had sent samples to the FSL. A team of the FSL took samples from all five cracker godowns in the vicinity of Sullar Gharat warehouse on October 11.

The report reads, “Samples contained chemicals and other material generally used to prepare crackers and, on explosion, it can cause loss to people and property.”

Apart from confirming the presence of potassium, nitrate, sulphur, carbon and chlorate, the report has confirmed the presence of pressure-sensitive explosive material.

After receiving the FSL’s report, the administration claimed the report of the magisterial inquiry would be ready this week.

Members of the action committee, which was formed to fight for justice for victims, claimed the report had been delayed.

“A CBI investigation must be ordered as we do not have faith in the Sangrur administration,” said Purshotam Phaguwala, a member of the committee.

A special committee of the Association for Democratic Rights (ADR), in its investigation report, has indicted the administration and alleged the owners were running a cracker manufacturing factory, and not a godown, as claimed by the administration.

“The owners did not have a licence to store crackers. All five godowns in the vicinity of Sullar Gharat warehouse have been sealed since blast. The delay in the FSL report has delayed our investigation. Our inquiry committee will conclude its report within a week,” said Deputy Commissioner APS Virk.