4 workers killed in Cachar factory blast, govt orders probe

Rs 5L Ex Gratia Announced For Next of kin of The DeceasedSilchar: At least four workers were killed and several others were injured in a massive explosion at a steel rod manufacturing factory in Cachar on Sunday.The blast, suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder, occurred around 11.30am at the Kade Global Infrastructure LLP in Pangram, under Udharband police station.The deceased have been identified as Appu Baraik (32), Kiran Munda (28), Shyamal Gour (30), and Sagar Nath (31). All four were residents of Agartala in Tripura.Such was the severity of the blast that it flattened several manufacturing parts of the factory.

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While a rescue operation has been initiated by the NDRF to retrieve workers trapped underneath the debris, the authorities are expecting the toll to rise.State cabinet minister Kaushik Rai, who visited the site, said the district administration, labour department and police have launched separate investigations.“The Cachar district commissioner, assistant labour commissioner and police are conducting independent investigations. A team of experts from Guwahati is also on its way to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion and examine the chemicals used in the plant,” Rai said.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker. Rai said the govt will also ensure adequate compensation from the company.Cachar DC Rahul Kumar Gupta, SP Sanjib Kumar Saikia and other senior officials, too, have been overseeing the rescue operation.Rai said they will be handed over to the families after completion of legal formalities.Meanwhile, residents gathered at the site and raised concerns over alleged inadequate workplace safety measures.