Chandigarh, September 4: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed deep anguish at the death of 18 persons and injuries to a dozen more following an explosion at a firecracker factory in Batala and demanded immediate enforcement of the directions of the Supreme Court on all such units in the state.
In a statement, the SAD president expressed his condolences with the bereaved families and expressed hope that those trapped in the rubble of the firecracker factory would be rescued successfully. He also demanded strict action against officials guilty of not enforcing safety codes vis a vis firecracker factories besides asking the government to give adequate compensation to the victim families.
Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and former minister Bikram Majithia also expressed condolences with the bereaved families. They said the Congress government should immediately direct all district officials to enforce safety regulations vis a vis firecracker factories while ensuring they do not operate in residential areas.
