Latest news with #Pratap
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Two killed in Karol Bagh mall blaze
Two men died in a massive fire that broke out inside a shopping mall in central Delhi's Karol Bagh, the police said on Saturday. The blaze started on the second floor of the four-storey Vishal Mega Mart at 6.44 p.m. on Friday. Thirteen fire tenders and 90 firefighters were rushed to the spot to douse the flames, said DCP (Central) Nidhin Valsan, adding that the blaze was so severe that cooling operations continued until early morning on Saturday. The officer said a short circuit on the second floor could have caused the fire that later spread to other floors, but a detailed probe to ascertain the cause is under way. He added that there were at least 93 people — 23 employees and 70 customers — in the mall at the time of the incident. The deceased were identified as Dhirender Pratap, 25, a resident of Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, who was at the mall in search of a job, and Pawan Gautam, 30, a married IT professional and resident of Aligarh in U.P., who was shopping at the mall. The body of Pratap, who is suspected to have died of asphyxiation, was recovered from a lift. 'The body of the other victim was charred beyond recognition. It was identified by Gautam's friends who had reached the mall looking for him,' said a senior police officer. Pratap's family alleged laxity in the rescue operations. 'How come they did not check the lifts for people? They turned off the [mall's] power supply and left him to die,' alleged his brother, Vikram. 'Please save me' Mr. Vikram told The Hindu that his brother had sent him several messages pleading to be rescued. 'At 6.51 p.m., he sent a message on WhatsApp about a fire breaking out at the mall he was visiting. Dhirender said he was stuck in a lift and pleaded with me to save him,' he said. 'Saas phul rahi hai, kuch karo (I am out of breath, do something),' read a message. In response, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said it had immediately pressed into service the required manpower and fire engines to extinguish the flames and rescue those trapped inside. 'We received the call at 6.44 p.m., shortly after which our team reached the scene. It was difficult to enter the complex because the fire was spreading fast due to combustible items like groceries and clothes. It was around 2 a.m. that a body was found inside a lift,' said DFS Assistant Divisional Officer Ravi Nath. He added that the close proximity of buildings in the Karol Bagh market posed a challenge to firefighting operations. He said this made it difficult for fire tenders to reach the spot, contain the blaze, and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings. Case registered The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS, including those pertaining to negligence. 'We are examining if safety protocols such as functional fire exits, extinguishers, and alarms were in place at the time of the fire,' said an officer.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra introduces stricter NOC system for hazardous industries following tragic explosion
VIJAYAWADA: In a bid to enhance industrial safety, particularly in pharmaceutical and other hazardous sectors, AP is introducing a revamped No Objection Certificate (NOC) system, State Disaster Response and Fire Services Director General (DG) Madireddy Pratap announced on Friday. The move comes in the wake of the tragic explosion at Sigachi Industries in Pashamylaram village, Telangana, which claimed at least 36 lives and left many others injured. 'The new NOC policy will be grounded in expert-led inspection reports and security audits,' Pratap said. He added that the department had already escalated safety concerns to higher authorities and issued notices to all pharmaceutical and chemical factories handling hazardous materials, directing them to conduct comprehensive risk assessments and safety audits. The revised policy makes it mandatory for industries to engage certified experts and agencies for their assessments. Agencies such as Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA), Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA), Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD), Boiler Inspectors, Mines Safety Officers, and solvent handling authorities will serve as official third-party evaluators.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh Fire Services D-G directs officials to identify hazardous areas in industries to prevent accidents
Director General of AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services Madireddy Pratap has directed the officers of Industries, Factories, Electricity and the Fire Services Departments to identify the hazardous areas in pharma, manufacturing and other industries to prevent accidents. Speaking to the newsmen here on Friday, Mr. Pratap said after the fire mishap in Sigachi Industries at Pashamylavaram village, in Telangana State, instructions have been given to the officials of the departments concerned to keep away the high risk process areas away from other processing units and administrative blocks. 'The managements of the manufacturing units should classify the hazardous areas and operate the high risk areas with experts in the field to prevent accidents. Orders to this effect were issued to the officers concerned,' the Fire Services D-G said. Heads of the departments concerned are requested to utilise the services of the experts in inert gas drying systems, ensure proper grounding of equipment and take care to avoid explosions in industries, he said. He directed the Fire Services Director D. Murali Mohan and Additional Director T. Uday Kumar to take steps to prevent accidents in Andhra Pradesh, in the wake of the fire mishap in Sigachi Industries. Fresh NOCs The A.P. State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department has changed the NOC issuing system and was giving fresh 'No Objection Certificates' (NOCs) to all manufacturing units and factories to enhance fire safety to prevent accidents, Mr. Pratap said. 'The officers are directed to conduct dust safety audits, check electricity and fire safety renewals and take steps to prevent fire mishaps,' the Fire Services D-G said. Managements of the industries shall engage expertise in various subjects and follow safety precautions to avoid accidents, he said.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
Illegal bushmeat trade thriving, big market in 100 km radius of Bengaluru
BENGALURU: The seizure of around 100kg of spotted deer and wild boar meat by the Bengaluru division of the Karnataka forest department, and arrest of one person has revealed that bushmeat hunting is on the rise since 2023. It is sold surreptitiously, and demand for the meat has seen a spike within a 100km radius of Bengaluru city. Sales take place through WhatsApp messages and customer connect in the name of 'Soft Meat', and there is a growing demand for venison from all sections of society, said an investigating forest department official. Accused Pratap C, aged 31, a resident of Gubbalala, Banashankari, who was nabbed, revealed that a team of six had shot down the animals on Saturday for sale on Sunday in Bengaluru. 'Pratap confessed to have shot the animals in Kammasandra Wildlife Sanctuary in Kolar. After obtaining judicial custody, he will be taken to the crime scene for more details. Analysis of the method used, seizure of a double barrel gun, one single barrel gun, 10 cartridges, knives, weighing machines and meat show it is the work of an organised gang. Pratap confessed to have been doing this for the past 4-5 years,' the official said.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Hans India
Bengaluru Forest Officials Seize 74 kg of Illegal Deer and Wild Boar Meat in Major Poaching Bust
Forest officials in Bengaluru arrested a man and also seized 74 kg of illegal deer and wild boar meat. The officials have also found firearms and vehicles, in a significant anti-poaching operation. The operation took place on Bannerghatta Road, based on intelligence reports about wildlife hunting in the Bannerghatta and Kolar forests. Officials intercepted a car near the Bannerghatta-NICE Road junction and arrested 31-year-old Pratap. He was found moving the carcasses of four spotted deer and one wild boar. Two cars, a motorcycle, two guns, and 10 cartridges were also seized by the officials. During questioning, Pratap revealed the location of a shed in CK Palya, where more meat was stored. A raid there uncovered additional meat, bringing the total to 74 kg—sourced from nine deer and one wild boar. The shed reportedly belonged to Bhimappa, and two others, Balaraju and Ramesh, are believed to be involved. All three are currently absconding. The operation was conducted by a joint team of Bengaluru forest staff and a vigilance squad. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act. Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre praised the officials for their prompt and effective action.
