One worker died and two critically wounded when a machine exploded at a rubber thread manufacturing factory near Agartala on Wednesday. Police and labour directorate of the Tripura government have launched separate investigations into the tragic incident. Police said the deceased Birendra Debbarma, 40, died at the scene after a rubber mixing machine in which he was working exploded at around 11 a.m. at the factory in Bodhjungnagar, 10 km east of Agartala. Two other labourers - Naresh Debbarma and Pabitra Debbarma - sustained serious injuries.
They were shifted to a private hospital and doctors termed their condition very critical. The factory installed by the DS Group a few years ago has been the largest rubber based unit in northeast India. Police officials recorded statement of the factory officials and workers after they launched investigation. The labour directorate was also enquiring into the incident, mainly on safety measures at the factory.
The dead and the injured are from nearby villages and a huge crowd staged protests outside the factory. Some of them complained the factory did not follow compulsory safety measures.
