Panel seeks report from DC, SSP over blast at Mohali unit

A day after two youths died and four were injured in a massive explosion at an oxygen plant in Industrial Area, Phase 9, here, the Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) State Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Mohali District Food Supplies Officer, Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police over the incident.

Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash and Member Justice Gurbir Singh of the Punjab State & Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission, taking suo motu cognisance of this matter, called for a report from the Mohali District Food Supply Officer, Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police, before the next date of hearing November 13.

Meanwhile, the post-mortem of the deceased was conducted at the Phase-6 Civil Hospital and the bodies were handed over to their kin. Both bodies were badly mutilated in the cylinder blast that took place on Wednesday morning.

Sources said one of the deceased was a registered worker, while the other was not on the rolls. A financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh (one-time payment) and Rs 10,000 per month has been offered to the kin of the registered worker. The relatives of the non-registered worker have been offered Rs 10-lakh compensation.

Mohammed Asif, uncle of one of the deceased, also named Mohammed Asif, said, “When the explosion took place, he was nearby. Asif’s head got severed and fell a few feet away. Seeing this, he lost consciousness.”

The blast occurred around 9 am as workers turned up for the morning shift. The oxygen cylinders exploded while being refilled. The two workers died on the spot and the roof of the shed was blown off. Four persons sustained multiple injuries in head and leg, and were rushed to the Phase-6 Hospital, Mohali. The doctors said they were stable and under observation.