Kolkata: Police on Tuesday evening arrested Chandrakanta Banik, the co-owner of the fireworks factory in Patharpratima in South 24 Parganas, near which an explosion ripped apart his house, killing eight family members. He was arrested on charges of storing illegal fireworks and involuntary manslaughter. He was remanded in five days' police custody.
Police are looking for Chandrakanta's brother, Tushar. Apart from the two, the only other family member to survive is their mother, who was not at home at the time the explosion triggered a fire that engulfed the house.
Chandrakanta had participated in a training session organised by the All Bengal Trinamool Green Fire Crackers Union at Nungi, Maheshtala, last Oct. The programme provided instruction on safe and secure green firecracker manufacturing.
A union member confirmed Banik's participation in the training.
Following the tragedy, the Diamond Harbour district police confiscated substantial quantities of fireworks, including 46 kg from Nodakhali, 40 kg from Budge Budge, and 62 kg from Maheshtala.
Two persons were arrested. Additionally, 47 kg of fireworks and materials were seized in Baruipur.