Jharkhand forms panel to probe firecracker unit blast as toll rises to 10 (Lead)

Ranchi Sep 25 (IANS) The Jharkhand government on Monday set up a two-member team to probe the blast at an illegal firecracker unit in East Singhbum district as the toll increased to 10.

An NDRF team is conducting rescue operations. A three-storey building collapsed in the blast in East Singhbhum where an illegal firecracker unit was functioning.

According to a government press release Kolhan Commissioner and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) will probe the incident.

It said that disciplinary action will be taken against the Officer In-charge of the concerned police station.

Police sources say that Maoist guerrillas were also supplied explosives from the illegal unit.

Three bodies were recovered from the debris of the collapsed building.

Police said that a huge amount of explosive powder was stocked in the building where the blast occurred after it caught fire.

The blast caused a huge fire that soon engulfed other houses too. The injured have been admitted in local hospitals and some were sent to neighbouring West Bengal.

The Jharkhand government has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of each killed person and Rs 50 000 each to the injured.

--IANS
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