HASSAN: Did the failure of the Hassan district administration to exercise the powers vested with it under the Explosives Act to regulate the manufacture and storing of firecrackers lead to the explosion at Subhash Nagar extension on Monday? Residents are asking this question in view of the repeated explosions in various parts of the district in the last few years.

Many accidents

According to sources, 19 people died in explosions in the district in the last three years. Illegal manufacture and storage of firecrackers across the district was said to the reason behind the deaths. Two people were killed when firecrackers stored in a room of Hongeyamma temple caught fire and exploded in 2002. Three persons were killed in a house in Holenarsipur in 2003 due to similar reason. It was followed by Chippinkatte incident in Hassan town, which claimed eight lives, injuring nine persons seriously a year ago.

The reason for Monday's explosion at Subhash Nagar of Arsikere town, which led to the death of six persons, including a child, was not known initially. After investigation, experts concluded that firecrackers stored in the house caused the explosion.

What is puzzling the public is the apathy of the district administration in taking action against illegal storage of firecrackers and explosives. Prompt action by officials against the illegal hoarding of firecrackers would have saved lives in Arsikere, people say.

Residential areas too

The Arsikere incident has created anxiety among people in Hassan city as a few people store firecrackers in residential areas. According to sources in the district administration, licence to store firecrackers on the outskirts of the city and in towns has been given only to four persons. But many people store explosives in residential areas.

The former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, who visited Chippinkatte blast site last year, had urged authorities to construct sheds to store firecrackers. However, nothing has been done in this regard. Superintendent of Police Panduranga Rane told The Hindu that the police had raided various places in the city after the Chippinkatte incident and booked cases against people for illegal hoarding of firecrackers. All the police stations in the districts were locate illegal stored firecrackers and file cases.

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