Week on, no trace of 2 missing labourers; relatives block NH-1

BLOCKADE LIFTED AFTER AN HOUR, FOLLOWING THE ASSURANCE OF THE LOCAL MP; SDM SAYS LOCATION OF THE BUILDING IS CAUSING HURDLES IN RESCUE OPERATIONS

PANIPAT: More than a week after a carpet manufacturing unit in Shiv Nagar area of Panipat was destroyed in a fire, there is still no trace of two migrant labourers who are believed to have been buried under the debris of the building.

Their agitated kin blocked National Highway 1 on Sunday for over an hour, accusing the district administration of failing to carry out the rescue operations properly.

The labourers, identified as Sonu, 22, of Badaun district and Nandu, 25, of Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh were reportedly inside the building when the fire broke out.

Though rescue operations are still going on, officials say that the location of the building is causing hurdles.

“The location of the building is very complicated. Since it is surrounded by several other buildings, we are finding it difficult to remove the structure without affecting the other buildings,” Panipat SDM Vivek Chaudhary told Hindustan Times.

He added that the roads leading to the factory was also narrow, thereby making it difficult to move heavy vehicles to the site.

The rescue operations have been going on since December 30 when the fire broke out.

The family members of the labourers agreed to end the protest only after the intervention of local MP Ashwini Chopra, who directed the district administration to depute more teams.

The SDM said that the police have already booked the factory owner and action will be taken against him as per the law.

SAYS THE DISTRICT WAS NEGLECTED WHEN IT CAME TO DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS