NHRC Demands Accountability Following Fatal Metal Plant Blast in Cachar

Regulatory Oversight Triggered by Industrial Disaster

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) initiated a suo motu investigation on Wednesday into a lethal explosion at a metal processing plant in the Cachar district of Assam. The incident, which occurred on July 26, resulted in the deaths of four employees and left two others with severe injuries. Located within a collective industrial complex in Pangram, Udharbond, the facility reportedly housed over 100 workers at the time of the blast.

Witness accounts and local reports indicate that the explosion caused molten metal to spill directly onto the workforce. The NHRC highlighted allegations from victims' families suggesting that the factory has a history of similar safety lapses. In light of these potential human rights violations, the commission dispatched formal notices to the Assam Chief Secretary and the Cachar Superintendent of Police.

Identified Victims and State Intervention

Authorities have confirmed the identities of the four deceased workers:

• Kiran Munda
• Appu Baraik
• Shyamal Gour
• Sagar Nath

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to the tragedy by approving an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for each of the victims' families, sourced from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Pending Investigation and Legal Actions

Law enforcement has already moved against the factory management. Five individuals, among them the plant owner, were arrested following the disaster. The NHRC has mandated a comprehensive report from state officials within a two-week window. This submission must detail the current medical condition of the survivors and provide a status update on the distribution of compensation to both the injured and the families of the deceased.

Source: The Hindu — Home