NEWS

Drive against illegal storage of explosives

By Syed Firdaus Ashraf in Mumbai
July 31, 2003 12:18 IST

The Mumbai police, rattled by Thursday morning's blast in a chawl in suburban Jogeshwari, have decided to launch a drive to check illegal storage of explosives in the city.

The blast in Jogeshwari, that claimed six lives, occurred in an apartment where a supplier had stored explosives meant for stunt shoots in Bollywood films.

It is not yet clear if Dilnawaz Khan, who died in the blast along with his wife, daughter and brother-in-law, had the requisite clearance to store explosives.

Dilnawaz Khan used to supply explosives to film units through his firm Vishal Special Effects.

Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Ahmad Javed said he would soon seek a meeting with the Stuntmen's Association to learn more about how they procure and store explosives.

"We are planning to find out if there is any illegal storage of explosives...we will take action against all those involved in such activity," Javed said.

"Though Dilnawaz was a pyrotechnique technician and was well recognised for his work, one cannot overlook the fact that storing such explosives could prove fatal to those living around," he said.

"Those who know of any such illegal storage should inform the police immediately," he said.

"Prima facie, the entire [Jogeshwari] episode appears to be an accident, but we are also probing other possible angles," he said.

On beefing up of security in the metropolis, Javed said the city is already in a state of alert.

 

Syed Firdaus Ashraf in Mumbai

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email