1 day ago
Kaushambi Firecracker Blast Accused Naushad Arrested After Encounter
A firecracker factory in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, exploded on Monday.
The blast killed 11 people, including eight children, and injured five others.
The factory and several nearby homes were badly damaged.
Police said the factory owner, Naushad, tried to escape after the explosion.
They said he fired at police when officers surrounded him, so they shot him in the leg.
Naushad was arrested and taken to a hospital, and police said an illegal pistol was recovered.
Police also said he had continued operating the factory despite an earlier case and suspension of its licence.
Officials are investigating the explosion and have taken action against police personnel over alleged negligence.
Police arrested factory owner and operator Naushad after an encounter near Terah Meel around 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said Naushad fired at officers while allegedly trying to flee and was shot in the leg in self-defence.
The Monday blast at an allegedly illegal facility killed 11 people, including eight children, and injured five.
The explosion destroyed the factory and damaged five to six nearby houses, three of which reportedly collapsed.
Six people were named in the FIR, while five police personnel faced suspension or transfer over alleged negligence.
- Who
- Factory owner and operator Naushad was arrested; 11 people, including eight children, were killed and five were injured. Five other people were also named with him in the FIR.
- What
- An explosion at an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage facility led to deaths, injuries, Naushad’s arrest after a police encounter, and disciplinary action against police personnel.
- Where
- The facility was in Manoori, also spelled Manuri, in Kaushambi district, Uttar Pradesh. The encounter occurred near Terah Meel on the Terah Mile-Syed Sarawan Road.
- When
- The blast occurred on Monday, August 31; Naushad was arrested around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1.
- Why
- The cause of the blast remains under investigation. Police said Naushad opened fire while allegedly trying to flee, prompting return fire in self-defence.
Police and Administrative Account
Accountability and Investigation Concerns
Encounter circumstances
Police and Administrative Account
Police said Naushad was planning to flee, opened fire at officers with an intent to kill, and was shot in the leg when police returned fire in self-defence.
Accountability and Investigation Concerns
The reported exchange of fire and the circumstances of the arrest are based on the police account, while the broader investigation continues.
Factory operations
Police and Administrative Account
Police said Naushad and associates manufactured and stored explosive material illegally and continued operating despite an earlier case, arrest and licence suspension.
Accountability and Investigation Concerns
The suspension and transfer of five police personnel reflect allegations that official negligence allowed the facility to continue operating.
Responsibility for the blast
Police and Administrative Account
Officials said the factory was allegedly illegal and registered serious charges against six people, with further action including possible Gangsters Act and National Security Act measures.
Accountability and Investigation Concerns
The articles report that authorities are still investigating the blast’s cause and collecting evidence, so final responsibility has not been established.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Eleven people were killed, including eight children.
- Injuries
- Five people were injured in the explosion.
- Arrest
- Naushad was arrested after being shot in the leg during a police encounter.
- Earlier inspection
- Police said about 1,200 kg of gunpowder and other explosive material was recovered from the factory’s godown on October 8, 2024.
- Damage
- Five to six nearby houses were affected, with three reportedly collapsing; the factory was destroyed.
- Rescue operation
- NDRF, SDRF and fire brigade teams used 10 excavators, 11 fire tenders and 14 ambulances to search the debris.
- Legal case
- Six people were named in an FIR under Sections 105 and 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 4, 5 and 9-B of the Explosives Act.
- Police action
- Two personnel were suspended and three were sent to police lines over alleged negligence and dereliction of duty.
Quotes
Amit Pal
Kaushambi district magistrate
“The strictest possible action will be taken in the matter.”
theprint.in
Sources
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