MillenniumPost
Delhi

A day after, life limps back to normalcy

A day after a cracker blast took place at the Naya Bazaar area of Chandni Chowk which left one labourer dead and four others injured, life started limping back to normalcy at the crowded market place.

One of the local rice traders said: “We have rolled out the shutters of our shop. Although there is still a sense of fear among people here after the blast, we can’t live in fear forever. This is the time when we earn the most. We cannot let that incident affect our business.” 

According to the senior police official of North district, the incident occurred at around 10:40 am at the Pattewali gali. The deceased, identified as Motalip Mirza, was a 64-year-old labourer who had been working in Delhi for the past 20 years. The others who were injured in the cracker explosion were Bhupendra Gupta, Mahesh, Hawa Singh and Murari.

A native of Murshidabad in West Bengal, Motalip Mirza came to Delhi on Monday. His body has been preserved at the mortuary of a nearby hospital while his family members, who were informed, are on their way to the city. Caught on the CCTV camera of a nearby transport shop, it was evident from the grab that Mirza was heading towards the Sarashwati traders, carrying two bags containing 50 kg crackers. 

Senior police officials said as per the CCTV grabs and eyewitness accounts, the blast took place after Mirza placed the bags on the ground.

Refuting a terror angle behind the blast, police said that they are waiting for a detailed report from the forensic team to establish the exact cause of the blast. In the preliminary investigation, Delhi Police maintained that the explosion happened from the crackers. 

According to a senior investigating officer, they have booked one Mukhtar Ahmed, the owner of the crackers under Section 3 of the Explosive Substance Act, 286, 304A, 336 and 338 and 427 of the IPC at the Lahori Gate police station. “Teams have been formed to trace him. He is still absconding.” 

In light of the blast, licensing unit of the Delhi Police issued an order to clamp down the fire cracker factories or units in Delhi to prevent illegal sale of foreign-origin fire crackers. Immediate action will be taken against the seller(s) in case of violation of the instructions. 

The licensees will be apprised about the instructions by the local police. Even for Indian origin crackers, the norms under the Explosive Rule will be followed. 

Local police will ensure that use of fire crackers be stopped after 10 pm as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court. 
Next Story
Share it