MARGAO
A day after filing an FIR in the March 20 fire and explosion at the gunpowder/propellant storage unit in Naqueri-Betul, Cuncolim police have sent notices to the management and staff of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Company Pvt Ltd. They have been asked to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Sources said the police have sent letters to company officials and staff, instructing them to assist in the probe and ensure it reaches a proper conclusion.
Based on a memorandum submitted by Deputy Collector Quepem, Manohar Karekar, Cuncolim police registered an FIR on Tuesday against the management and staff of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, located at Verna Industrial Estate. They have been accused of not following safety guidelines set by authorities when they were granted a licence for transporting and storing propellants (gunpowder), which led to the fire at Magazine No. 1.
The police have also charged the company with illegally and negligently storing around 11,000 kg of propellant (gunpowder) in Magazine No. 2 without the required licence from PESO, violating the terms and conditions.
Additionally, police said the company management did not inform fire officers, police, or other authorities involved in the rescue operation about the stored material in Magazine No. 2 when Magazine No. 1 caught fire. This put human lives and property at risk.
Cuncolim police have booked the management and staff under Sections 223, 288, 326(g), and 125 of the BNS, as well as Sections 5 and 6 read with 9B and 9C of the Explosives Act, 1884.
Meanwhile, Cuncolim Police Station in-charge, PI Diego Gracias, said police and fire personnel are keeping round-the-clock watch at the gunpowder storage unit as per the District Collector’s instructions.
A fire tender has been stationed at the site as a precaution, while police are ensuring that the District Collector’s order”prohibiting the movement of people near the storage unit”is strictly followed.
