Alwar: A day after seven workers died in a massive explosion and blaze at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Bhiwadi town of Khairthal-Tijara district, police conducting follow-up inspections Tuesday in the Khushkheda Industrial Area found another firecracker factory and warehouse operating there illegally. Meanwhile, two people, including one who had rented out the factory where the blast occurred Monday and a manager who oversaw day-to-day operations, have been arrested. Superintendent of police Manish Chaudhary said several machines were found installed at the second firecracker factory, while large quantities of gunpowder, other explosive materials and finished firecrackers were discovered in the factory warehouse. Local police have sought technical expertise from Jaipur to examine and identify the explosives recovered. Police broke into the factory after its owner failed to show up at the site after being summoned. Investigators said firecrackers were being manufactured illegally at the unit that had a permit for steel fabrication and washing powder manufacturing.The investigation into Monday’s blast, meanwhile, has revealed that the factory’s 600-yard plot was allotted to one Rajendra Kumar in 2005, who got permission to start garment production at the site in 2011. In 2019, the plot was rented out to one Hemant Sharma. Police said firecrackers were being made secretly in the factory for the past one month, with finished goods eventually being sent to New Delhi.Jaipur Range IG Raghavendra Suhasa, who reached Bhiwadi Tuesday, said accused Hemant Sharma had been taken into custody, and the role of his brother, who is posted in the police’s district special team (DST), is also being investigated. Later Tuesday, SP Chaudhary confirmed that factory manager Abhinandan had also been arrested. With regard to Monday’s incident, Khushkheda police have registered an FIR against factory owner Rajendra Kumar, Hemant Sharma, manager Abhinandan, and a contractor, Ajit, based on the complaint filed by the brother of one of the deceased.
