Vegetation burnt due to the fire accident at the gunpowder storage unit at Naqueri-Betul on late Thursday night.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Post-fire accident at the Hughes Precision gunpowder storage at Naqueri-Betul, question is raised whether the company had obtained licences for both the magazines set up on the plateau.
Agitated locals of Naqueri-Betul led by village Sarpanch Pritam Deulkar pointed out that the local panchayat did not issue any licence for the gun powder storage facility.
When the question was posed to South Goa district Collector, Egna Cleetus to shed light on the issue of licences for the storage, she said that the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) had issued licences for one magazine set up at the Naqueri plateau four years ago. She, however, said PESO will be in a better position to shed light whether the organisation had issued licence to Hughes to set up the second magazine at Naqueri.
Sources said the office of district authorities had reportedly issued NOC to the company for the storage of gunpowder in magazine 2 in 2024. However, it is not known whether PESO had issued licence for Magazine 2 at Naqueri.
The Naqueri-Betul village panchayat Sarpanch Pritam Deulkar pointed out that the village panchayat has not issued any NOC for the company to set up the magazine 2 in the village. “The file submitted by the company is lying at the panchayat office. No NOC has been issued by the panchayat till date. We want the authorities to inquire whether the company has set up the magazine 2 at Naqueri without the company’s permission,” she added.
Cops register fire accident, await report from expert agency for FIR
MARGAO: The Cuncolim police have registered a fire accident in connection with the late Thursday night’s fire at the gun power storage on the Naqueri plateau at Betul.
The men-in-uniform is apparently awaiting a report from the expert agency, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, before taking a call on the question of registering a FIR for negligence.
After registering fire accidents, the Cuncolim police station in-charge, PI Diego Gracias has forward a report to the South Goa district Collector with details of the incident. Police informed that investigations in the matter have commenced and the police are waiting for the PESO officials to give a report on the circumstances that led to the fire accident, including the question of negligence.
Meanwhile, district Police chief, South SP Tikam Singh has pointed out that the fire broke out in Magazine No. 1 of Hughes Precision located at Naqueri-Betul at 10.55 pm on March 20 following which the agencies were immediately informed of the situation.
He said the fire caused structural damage to the storeroom and fence. The fire department responded swiftly, and fire-fighting operations were undertaken, and the fire was brought under control at 12.10 am on March 21.
“The site has been secured. No human casualties were reported. The Police Inspector Cuncolim cordoned off the perimeter and ensured that no unauthorised individuals were near the magazine to prevent any loss of life,” he said.
Naqueri-Betul p’yat to lodge official plaint against firm
MARGAO: The village panchayat of Naqueri-Betul has decided to lodge an official complaint with the police to initiate action against the company for alleged negligence.
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa along with Naqueri sarpanch Pritam Deulkar, besides panchayat members and local residents visited the Cuncolim police station on Friday evening. After discussions with Cuncolim PI Diego Gracias, the delegation decided to file an official complaint on the letter head of the village panchayat on Saturday.
