Daijiworld Media Network – Jaipur
Jaipur, Jun 11: Jaipur Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal has suspended nine police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kho Nagorian Police Station, following the deadly fire at an illegally operated firecracker factory that claimed eight lives.
The action was taken after a preliminary inquiry reportedly revealed serious lapses and negligence in the discharge of duty by police personnel responsible for monitoring the area.
According to officials, SHO Om Prakash Matwa, Head Constable Ashok and Constables Ramavatar, Dinesh, Asif, Harendra and Ashok were suspended with immediate effect on Wednesday. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Ranjita Sharma had suspended Assistant Sub-Inspector Amar Singh and Head Constable Pappu Ram soon after the incident.
With the latest action, a total of nine police personnel have been suspended in connection with the case.
The massive fire broke out on Tuesday at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in the Kho Nagorian area, resulting in the deaths of eight people.
Police Commissioner Mittal said the interim inquiry report pointed to serious failures at both the beat and police station levels. He has entrusted the investigation to Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajay Singh.
A special team has been constituted under Singh's supervision to conduct a detailed probe into all aspects of the incident, including the role of local police personnel and adherence to safety regulations. The team will submit a comprehensive report, following which further legal and departmental action may be initiated against those found responsible.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Mittal has directed all Deputy Commissioners of Police and Station House Officers across the Jaipur Commissionerate to conduct intensive surveys and inspections within their jurisdictions.
Police teams have been instructed to identify and take action against illegally operating factories, warehouses, firecracker storage facilities and other hazardous establishments. Beat officers and police station staff have also been directed to carry out door-to-door surveys to detect unauthorised storage of explosives and firecracker stockpiles, particularly in residential and densely populated areas.
The Police Commissioner emphasised that negligence in matters concerning public safety would not be tolerated and warned that strict action would continue against anyone found accountable.