HYDERABAD, Nov 18 (APP): The divisional Commissioner Hyderabad Fayaz Hussain Abbasi presided over a important meeting in his office on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by DIG Hyderabad Tariq Razzaq Dharejo, Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abedin Memon, SSP Special Branch, officials from Civil Defence, and the In-charge of Rescue 1122.
Deputy Commissioners and police officers from all districts of Hyderabad Division participated via video link.
The meeting reviewed in detail the tragic explosion at a firecracker factory in Latifabad and the rising trend of illegal and hazardous activities in the division.
Commissioner Fayyaz Hussain Abbasi expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that the LPG season has begun and the recent blast in the licensed firecracker facility was also extremely tragic.
Concerned Officials briefed the meeting that a licensed firecracker unit in Latifabad No. 10 exploded, resulting in the death of 10 individuals. A total of nine firecracker factories were operating in Hyderabad, in which six licensed and three were illegal. The functions of all of them have now been shut down following immediate enforcement actions.
DIG Hyderabad Tariq Razzaq Dharejo directed all relevant departments to seal every illegal firecracker factory across the division without delay, and to shift all licensed units outside populated areas.
He further ordered that LPG cylinder shops operating within residential zones be relocated, and strict criminal cases be registered against all operators involved in illegal decanting.
Deputy Commissioners of Matiari, Jamshoro, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sujawal, Thatta, Dadu, and Badin presented their reports, informing the Commissioner Hyderabad that no firecracker factories were operating in their districts. However, actions against illegal LPG shops is about to begun.
Civil Defence officials reported that in district Hyderabad the LPG outlets running without NOCs were being raided and equipment confiscated. The Special Branch briefed that a total of 167 LPG shops were operating in Hyderabad, all of which must be brought into strict compliance with SOPs.
Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abedin Memon shared that a survey revealed a tunnel-like structure inside the affected firecracker factory where a large quantity of explosive material had been stored, resulting in extensive loss of life. One individual involving with the factory has been arrested, while others involved have fled.
The Divisional Commissioner and DIG directed all district administrations to, Immediately seal all illegal factories across the division, Shift LPG cylinder outlets outside residential limits, Enforce all government SOPs without exception and to Conduct a fresh district-wide survey and reconnaissance, especially in rural zones, to identify illegal LPG and firecracker operations.
Further decision include to Launch a large-scale crackdown and register FIRs under Section 144 and other relevant laws and Strengthen fire and emergency response planning in densely populated areas and Establish an integrated coordination group comprising all key stakeholders.
The Divisional Commissioner instructed all Deputy Commissioners to submit fresh survey reports immediately after revisiting all factories and LPG outlets.
The meeting concluded with a firm resolve that a comprehensive crackdown would be launched across the Hyderabad Division to eliminate illegal and hazardous activities, ensuring public safety and preventing any future tragedies.
