Dewas, May 14 (IANS) Opposition Congress on Wednesday targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party government over the deadly explosion at a firecracker factory in Dewas, calling it a “grim testament to administrative negligence and a corrupt system”.

According to official information, three people were killed and 15 others injured in the blast at the factory in Tonkkala, Dewas district. Police said some survivors are critically injured and have been admitted to hospitals.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Umang Singhar, said the tragedy exposes how poor labourers are forced to risk their lives for low wages while officials ignore illegal units. Singhar has been vocal on industrial safety issues and has repeatedly raised questions on factory regulation in the Assembly.

“The tragic deaths of three labourers, numerous serious injuries, reports of missing women, and body parts scattered across a radius of 20–25 feet. This scene is deeply disturbing,” Singhar said.

He alleged that villagers had consistently complained that the factory was operating illegally, but no action was taken.

Singhar asked under whose patronage the deadly enterprise had been allowed to continue.

The Congress leader also criticised Chief Minister Mohan Yadav over the government’s response.

“It is utterly shameful and inhumane that poor labourers must risk their lives for a daily wage of just Rs 250–400, while the administration and those in power sit idly by, turning a blind eye,” he stated.

The Congress leader pointed out that merely announcing an inquiry and compensation would not absolve the government of its responsibility.

He said strict action must be taken against the guilty factory operators, the officials responsible, and those who protected them.

The massive explosion reduced a major portion of the factory to rubble and triggered widespread fear among residents. The blast was so powerful that nearby houses trembled.

Collector Rituraj Singh said the incident resulted in the deaths of three workers, while 15 others sustained injuries and were referred to the District Hospital, Dewas, and Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital, Indore, for treatment.

“Upon receiving information regarding the incident, Divisional Commissioner Ashish Singh, Additional Director General Rakesh Gupta, and Deputy Inspector General Navneet Bhasin immediately reached the scene to assess the situation and issued instructions for everyone to remain on alert,” the Collector said.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief and also announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each from the state government to the families of the deceased and ensured free treatment for the injured.

The tragedy has again raised concerns about safety violations, the illegal operation of firecracker units, and the lack of enforcement of industrial norms in Madhya Pradesh.

–IANS

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