VIRUDHUNAGAR: In connection with the explosion at Ilavarasi Fireworks in Oorampatti village on Thursday, which claimed the lives of three persons, Maraneri police arrested the cracker unit owner and foreman on Friday. Search is also on for another suspect who is on the run.
The blast was triggered by the friction created when Sundarraj and Kumaresan filled chemicals in the crackers. Apart from the duo, Aiyammal who was working under a tree outside the room also succumbed to burn injuries. Another worker, Irulayee, was injured by a brick in the impact of the explosion, is receiving treatment.
Based on the incident, Maraneri police registered a case under the Explosives Act against I Kadarkarai (73), the owner, S Kaliappan (49), the foreman, and M Anand, who had leased four rooms in the unit.
Following Chief Minister MK Stalin's announcement of solatium for the families of the deceased and the injured, Minister KKSSR Ramachandran on Friday gave Rs 3 lakh each to the families of the three deceased and Rs 50,000 to the family of Irulayee. Similarly, Rs 3 lakh was given to the family of Senthil Kumar, who lost his life in the explosion at a firecracker shop near Vembakottai on May 17.