Siwan Explosives Probe Widens After Five Deaths in Alampur
The investigation into the deadly blast at an alleged illegal firecracker factory in Alampur village, Siwan district, Bihar, is widening. Police and administration teams have recovered about 130 sacks of explosive material from around 15 houses and nearby fields, following the October 23 explosion that killed five people.
Search teams on Saturday broke the locks of five closed houses and searched both residential premises and open fields. Several homes, closed rooms and farmland yielded firecracker-making material. Authorities suspect that some people threw about 30 sacks of explosive material into fields near the village at night, after the crackdown began. Searches are now focused on paddy fields and the debris of damaged houses, with a bomb disposal squad taking part in the operation.
Operations across the district
The Alampur incident has prompted action in other areas as well. During a raid in the Usri Bazar area under MH Nagar police station limits, about three pickup loads of explosive material were seized, and Raja Ali was arrested. In the Darauli police station area, two people were held and officers recovered two sacks, seven cartons and a bag of explosives.
In Hasanpura, gunpowder and finished and semi-finished firecrackers were seized. Two houses in Patar village yielded 30 cartons of firecrackers, leading to the arrest of Liyakat Khan and Chhotelal. Police are now working to establish where the material was being manufactured and which areas it was being supplied to.
Explosion during destruction
A sharp explosion took place on Saturday night in a field between Bhalua and Bhadai villages while seized explosive material was being destroyed. The blast occurred at around 8:30 pm and was reportedly audible four to five kilometres away.
Villagers pelted the police and fire brigade teams with stones during the incident, damaging the glass of a fire brigade vehicle. No police personnel were reported injured. An inquiry into the incident has been initiated.
Tradition under scrutiny
Locals say that several families in Alampur have been making firecrackers for generations, with demand rising during weddings and Diwali. The crucial question for investigators is whether manufacturing and storage were being conducted under the required licences and safety regulations.
On the directions of the District Magistrate, inspections have been ordered in Siwan, Bhagwanpur Hat, Basantpur, Husainganj, Guthani, Mairwa and other areas. Police are reviewing compliance with rules on licensing, storage and manufacturing.
A family member still missing
The October 23 blast at the alleged illegal factory in Alampur village, under Jamo police station limits, killed at least five people and damaged houses. The daughter-in-law of the deceased Amiruddin has not yet been found, and the search for her is ongoing.
The seizure of 130 sacks of explosive material in Alampur and continuing raids across the district have raised serious concerns about how widespread the illegal firecracker trade is. Investigating agencies now face the task of determining how such a large quantity of explosives was kept in a residential area and where monitoring failed.