Overview
- A blast at a newer scrap-metal and iron-casting unit in Pangram, Udharbond, killed four workers and severely injured two, with more than 100 people reported on site when the explosion occurred on Sunday, July 26.
- Cachar police arrested five people within 48 hours, including the factory owner, and have charged them with negligence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- State authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry, a labour department probe and a police investigation while a Forensic Science Laboratory team is examining the site to determine the technical cause and sequence of events.
- Families and local residents say molten metal spilled on workers during the blast and alleged prior safety incidents at the unit, claims the NHRC said raise serious human-rights concerns if verified.
- The Assam government has announced Rs 5 lakh in ex-gratia to each next of kin and a wider industrial safety audit has been ordered, with the NHRC demanding a detailed report on health, compensation and investigations within two weeks.