NHRC notices to the Government of Madhya Pradesh over the reported death of several people in a series of explosion at a fireworks factory in Harda district

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 9th February, 2024

NHRC notices to the Government of Madhya Pradesh over the reported death of several people in a series of explosion at a fireworks factory in Harda district

Detailed report sought within four weeks including action against the negligent officers and steps taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that about 11 people died and nearly 200 were injured in a series of explosions at a fireworks factory in the outskirts of Harda district in Madhya Pradesh on 6th February, 2024. The impact of the blast was felt several kilometres around the factory in the nearby areas. Reportedly, viral video showed victim’s bodies scattered on the roads and in the fields.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks.

The report is expected to include the status of the FIR, updated information on health and medical treatment provided to the victims of the blast and their aggrieved families. The Commission would also like to know about the action against the erring and negligent officers and the steps taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

According to the media report, carried on 7th February, 2024, the factory had 32 halls which were packed with explosives, mostly sutli bombs. Over 200 people worked in the factory with 70 odd in the morning shift when the series of blasts occurred. The factory has been under the scanner earlier also for certain illegalities. It was ordered to be closed in the year 2022 and the owner was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment in the year 2021 after the death of two workers in a blast which had taken place in 2015, inside the factory but he challenged the order.

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