Another worker succumbs to injuries in Vellore; cracker unit owner arrested

A 35-year-old firecracker manufacturing unit owner was arrested by Anaicut police in Vellore after an explosion in the unit killed two workers.

The arrested person was identified as Hari Prasad, who runs a cracker unit in Chinna Anaicut village, that comes under Anaicut Panchayat Union in the district. He was nabbed by a special team from his hideout in Jawadhu Hills. A case was registered and he was lodged at Central Prison in Vellore.

On Wednesday, R. Gayathri, 41, a worker, was killed on the spot after an explosion occured in the firecracker unit. Another worker U. Sangeetha, 45, sustained 96 per cent burns in the incident. Both workers belong to Kottaiyur village near the unit.

The workers were packing firecrackers in the unit when the explosion occurred. The building was razed to the ground.  

The injured worker, Sangeetha was admitted at Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore where she succumbed to burn injuries on Friday. Collector P.S. Leela Alex handed over ₹4 lakh ex-gratia from Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to family members of the deceased workers. Based on orders of Ms. Alex, license of the firecracker manufacturing unit was cancelled, and the unit was sealed by revenue officials.