AHMEDABAD:”I cannot resist these burns. I feel like dying.” These were the last words of 23-year-old Vijay Kajmi from Harda district, Madhya Pradesh, who died on Saturday, police said.
Kajmi was among the 27 workers who suffered severe burns—21 of whom died—after a massive explosion during firecracker manufacturing on April 1. He was one of the 20 workers initially rescued in the Harda firecracker blast that occurred in February 2024.
Kajmi had been employed by labour contractor Laxmi Nayak, who also died in the blast. A senior police officer in Deesa said, “Kajmi suffered nearly 60% burns and was shifted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he breathed his last on Saturday.”
Investigating officer and Deesa DYSP, C.L. Solanki, said his body was sent to his native village after the necessary procedures were completed.
According to the FIR filed by Deesa rural police, the deadly explosion at Deepak Traders was caused by gross negligence by the factory owners—Deepak Mohanani and his father Khoobchand Mohanani—who illegally manufactured firecrackers and allegedly stored around 2,000 kg of explosives.
Speaking to TOI, Solanki said the accused are in police custody and being questioned about the sequence of events leading to the explosion. On sourcing such a large quantity of explosives, he said, “These substances are easily available in the market. But they become dangerous only when there are lapses during the mixing or manufacturing process.”
He added that the explosives were procured from various places, and the investigation into their origins is ongoing. Solanki also noted that there are very few eyewitnesses, but their statements have been recorded and they will be summoned again if required.
