Kolkata: An explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal’s Nadia district on Friday (February 7) afternoon killed four women workers and left another critically injured, raising concerns over lack of enforcement and political complicity in the mushrooming of illegal firecracker across the state.
The blast, which occurred in a narrow lane just 500 meters from the Ranaghat Police Superintendent’s office, reduced the makeshift factory to rubble. Locals described scenes of chaos as fireballs erupted, igniting nearby trees. Charred bodies of three women were found near the site, while a fourth victim was discovered later.
The injured worker is battling severe burns at Kalyani JNM Hospital.
“I heard a deafening blast during lunch. By the time I rushed out, fire was everywhere. We tried dousing it with buckets, but fire engines couldn’t reach the alley,” said Tapas Biswas, an eyewitness.
Deadly incidents at illegal firecracker units in West Bengal
The tragedy is the latest in a string of deadly incidents at illegal firecracker units in West Bengal.
Two similar incidents took place in December last year when three people were killed at an illegal firecracker unit in Diamond Harbour on December 16. Twelve days later, on December 28, one person died in Champahati in another such incident. Back in May 2023 11 workers at an illegal firecracker unit had died in Egra while nine people had died in Duttapukur during a similar incident August 2023.
Despite West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s assurance to establish designated firecracker manufacturing clusters, numerous illegal units continue to operate across the state, many within stone-throw of police stations.
Locals allege the Kalyani unit, operational for 12 years, had political backing.
“Local women work here despite knowing the risks. No one protests because they need this income. A blast occurred here 10 years ago, but no one died. Had the owner been cautious, this tragedy might have been avoided,” informed a local.
Women from impoverished households, earning ₹150–200 daily, dominate the workforce.
“I’ve been working here for the past 8 years. Most women in this area do. Those with capital run home units; others work at small factories like these. This job helps me support my family. We have no other options,” explained Sadhana Biswas, who works at another unit nearby.
The blast triggered a blame game, with BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar accusing the ruling TMC of shielding the unit.
“Money from these factories funds Kalighat (TMC HQ). How else could a bomb factory be allowed to run near the police chief’s office?” alleged Sarkar who faced protest from TMC supporters when he visited the site.
‘Explosions keep happening, but where is the government’s action?’
Despite the local civic body’s initial claim that the factory had permission to produce firecrackers, the fire brigade confirmed on Saturday (February 8) that it lacked the necessary certification. The factory was operating illegally in a densely populated residential area, violating regulations restricting such units in residential zones.
“How could the environment department, police, and administration remain unaware? Locals stay silent due to fear. Explosions keep happening, but where is the government’s action?” said CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim.
Dismissing the allegation, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said “It is an accident. A vulture-like opposition is amplifying this, but they forget the Bowbazar blast during their rule.”
The state government has offered Rs 2 lakh compensation to each of the deceased’s families.
Translated from the Bengali original by Aparna Bhattacharya.
