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Dharmapuri, Kalladipatti, Morappur

Breaking: CBI Team Conducts Searches in Dharmapuri in Connection with Tamil Nadu Firecracker Factory Tragedy

Investigation Continues, Accountability Sought

Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu: A team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches in the Dharmapuri district as part of its ongoing investigation into the tragic firecracker factory explosion that claimed the lives of 19 workers on January 4th. The sudden and devastating incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about safety standards and accountability. The CBI team arrived in Dharmapuri on Monday and conducted searches at the offices of the firecracker factory owners, Shri Mariyamman Fireworks, and the residence of the factory manager. The searches are reportedly part of the agency's effort to gather evidence and ascertain the cause of the explosion. The Tamil Nadu government had earlier ordered a probe by the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) into the incident, but the case was later transferred to the CBI on January 12th. The CBI has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expedite the investigation and bring the culprits to justice. The victims include 12 women and seven men, who were employed as manual laborers at the factory. According to eyewitnesses, the explosion occurred when a spark ignited a pile of firecrackers that were being mixed for production. The impact of the blast was so powerful that it caused a massive crater in the ground and damaged nearby buildings and vehicles.

Factory Owner's License Outdated, Safety Violations Suspected

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the factory's license was outdated and expired in 2021. Additionally, there were allegations of safety violations, including inadequate safety equipment and poor working conditions for employees. The Tamil Nadu government has assured stringent action against those responsible for the tragedy. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and has ordered a thorough review of safety regulations in all firecracker factories in the state. The investigation by the CBI is expected to shed light on the exact cause of the explosion and identify those responsible for the tragedy. The findings of the investigation will be crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future and ensuring accountability for those who compromise the safety of workers.