Probe sought into cracker explosion

BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Thursday demanded a judicial probe into the explosion of fire crackers in a private carrier that led to the death of a minor and critical burn injuries to several persons. “Transportation of explosive materials required permission from the competent authority under the Explosive Substance Act,” BJP spokesperson Ashok Sahu told a media conference. He sought to know from the Government if permission was granted for transportation of explosive materials (fire crackers) to Paradip where the ruling BJD was celebrating the victory of the Biju Workers Union. Alleging that the newly-elected president of the Biju Workers Union Debasis Samantray, Jagatsinghpur MLA Bishnu Das and Minister of State for School and Mass Education Pratap Jena are party to the illegal transportation of explosive materials, Sahu said they should be immediately arrested.  Although two FIRs have been filed in Kujang police station naming Samantray and Das as accused, the police are yet to take any action. He slammed the police for not initiating action against the culprits who are responsible for the illegal transportation of explosive materials.