Y.S. Pratap Reddy, kin of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was arrested and produced in court on Tuesday….Reports Asian Lite News
The Andhra Pradesh police have made one more arrest in connection with their ongoing probe into the limestone quarry explosion in Kadapa district on Saturday that left 10 persons dead.
Y.S. Pratap Reddy, kin of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was arrested and produced in court on Tuesday.
District Superintendent of Police, Anburajan, said that Pratap Reddy was arrested on charges of contravention of the laws on transportation of explosive substances, as no safety protocols were observed during transportation.
The mishap had occurred on Saturday near Mamillapalle village in Kalasapadu mandal when the labourers were unloading gelatin sticks from a vehicle for using them at a limestone quarry.
Such was the impact of the explosion that the body parts of the deceased were blown apart and the vehicle was completely burnt.
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The gelatin sticks, which were allegedly transported from Pulivendula to the quarry, were traced back to Pratap Reddy who holds a magazine licence for explosives.
Police sources said that Pratap Reddy has mining operations of his own in the areas adjoining Pulivendula, Lingala and Simhadripuram, and is authorised to use explosives for mining operations.
On Monday, the police had arrested the limestone quarry owner and one of his employees in connction with the case.
TDP national president and former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also expressed deep shock and grief over the death of several innocent workers in the blast.
He demanded that the government extend all help and announce ex gratia to the kin of the deceased on par with the LG Polymers in Vizag.
In a statement here, the TDP chief demanded immediate steps to provide better medical care to all those who were injured in the blast. It was unfortunate the tragic incident took place claiming so many lives in the chief minister’s own native district. To prevent such incidents, proper safety standards should be followed there. All the workers should be given perfect safety equipment.
Chandrababu Naidu said that the government should immediately launch rescue and relief operations. The rulers should explain to the people why they had allowed the mining works at a time when there was an 18-hour curfew clamped all over the state to check the spread of coronavirus.