Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 11, 2025, Kolkata : In the aftermath of the tragic explosion at a firecracker factory in Kalyani, State Opposition Leader Subhendu Adhikari has called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the incident. Adhikari visited the site on Tuesday and personally handed over a check of Rs 2 lakh 1 thousand to the families of those who died in the explosion, underscoring the severity of the situation. He also took the opportunity to criticize the state government, particularly the Chief Minister, for what he called a failure to hold the responsible authorities accountable.
Speaking at the scene, Adhikari condemned the lack of adequate safety measures and the state’s handling of the incident. He pointed out the proximity of pucca houses to the factory, expressing that the loss of life could have been far greater. “There are pucca houses all around. The number of casualties could have increased further,” he stated. Adhikari also raised concerns about the government’s purported efforts to maintain law and order, saying, “The state government created a story of appointing village police and civic volunteers for 14 years to gather information about neighborhood activities. What is the result of that?”
He went on to emphasize the BJP’s commitment to supporting the affected families, noting that the donation was a gesture to show that the value of human life cannot be quantified in monetary terms. “Today, the BJP will give Rs 2 lakh 1 thousand to the families of the deceased to show them that the price of life is not money,” Adhikari remarked. He further criticized the state government for offering inadequate compensation in such a tragic event, saying, “If a person dies from consuming adulterated liquor, you should pay 2 lakh taka. This death occurred due to the negligence and utter irresponsibility of your police, your party, and the municipality run by your party. You should have given at least Rs 50 lakh as compensation and arrested the municipality chairman and the police responsible.”
Subhendu Adhikari’s strong statements highlight his growing opposition to the state government’s handling of public safety issues, especially in the wake of tragic incidents like the Kalyani explosion. His call for an NIA investigation adds a new layer of scrutiny to the incident, suggesting a deeper probe into the causes of the disaster and the possible negligence that led to it. The BJP’s criticism of the state government is expected to intensify as the investigation into the explosion continues.
