Dhenkanal: Police have launched a detailed investigation into a stone quarry blast that killed a 22-year-old labourer at Kastipal village under Nihalprasad police station limits in Dhenkanal district.
The deceased has been identified as Gopal Barla, son of Sana Barla, a resident of Anjira village in Dhankunia under Jenapur police station of Jajpur district. His wife, Janga Purty (26), lodged a complaint with the police.
According to police sources, upon receiving information about the incident, the Inspector-in-Charge of Nihalprasad Police Station along with his team immediately rushed to the spot, inspected the site, and shifted the body to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for post-mortem and inquest.
Two other labourers sustained injuries in the blast. They have been identified as Jagabandhu Sethi alias Manu (36) of Nihalprasad and Arjuna Badara (25) of Dhankunia village in Jajpur district.
The quarry where the incident occurred belongs to Jagabandhu Enterprises Private Limited. Police have deputed personnel to guard the spot and have requisitioned the Forensic Science Laboratory (DFSL) and Bomb Squad for a thorough examination of the blast site. A joint inspection was also carried out with the Tahasildar and Mining Officer to verify the legality of the quarry operations.
The quarry permit is valid till July 27, 2026, and the blasting permission is valid till March 31, 2027. Both documents are under further verification.
Two persons have been detained in connection with the case. They are Sunil Muduli and Chandan Kumar Sahu, son of Pitabasa Sahu of Kandasara village under Nalco police station in Angul district, who was working as the site in-charge.
Further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the blast and to ascertain if any other authorities were involved in possible lapses.
