New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports regarding the death of three workers and injuries to several others in an explosion at a chemical factory in Haryana’s Rewari district.

Observing that the contents of the news reports, if true, raise a serious issue of a violation of the victims’ human rights, the apex human rights body has issued notices to the Haryana Chief Secretary and the Superintendent of Police, Rewari, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

The NHRC said the report is expected to include the current health status of the injured workers and details of any compensation paid to the next of kin of the deceased and the injured persons.

According to media reports, the explosion occurred on May 19 at a chemical factory located in an industrial area of the Rewari district while repair work was underway at the factory’s chilling plant. The blast reportedly triggered a fire, injuring six people.

One of the injured workers later died during treatment at a hospital on May 20, while the skeletal remains of two other workers were recovered from the factory premises.

According to media reports, the factory manufactures chemical products, industrial inks, and aluminium foil for domestic and overseas markets. Following multiple explosions, around 300 employees were evacuated from the premises.

In a separate matter, the NHRC has also taken suo motu cognisance of a media report regarding a fire incident at a private hospital in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district that resulted in the death of a patient.

The apex human rights body has issued notices to the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Dehradun, calling for a detailed report within two weeks.

According to the media report, the fire broke out at the private hospital on May 20, allegedly due to a short circuit in an air conditioner, after which the flames spread through the premises. A total of 14 patients were rescued and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Among them, one female patient was declared dead, while four others were later discharged. The NHRC observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights and has sought a comprehensive report from the concerned authorities in both matters.

–IANS

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