Ludhiana: Police have arrested two brothers, Sajid and Wajid, from Muzaffarabad, Uttar Pradesh, day after an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit operating out of a house in Jodhan village exploded on Tuesday night, killing a 19-year-old worker and leaving two others, including a 13-year-old girl, with critical injuries.Investigators allege the siblings lured impoverished families from the Shamli area to Punjab under the false pretext of legitimate employment, only to force them — including women and children — to manufacture firecrackers in the unregulated facility. The unit had reportedly been operational for only four days prior to the disaster, likely preparing stock for upcoming festivals.The blast was so powerful it reduced the two-story structure to rubble and caused an estimated ₹35 lakh in damages to neighbouring properties. Army and NDRF teams were deployed to the site on Wednesday to safely dispose of unstable explosive materials, including potash, found buried in the debris. The house where the explosion occurred is reportedly owned by an overseas resident, prompting a secondary probe into how the property was leased. Authorities are also investigating the role of the property managers who facilitated the rental.Displaced neighbours, including Daljit Singh, whose home was destroyed in the blast, are calling for govt compensation. “My house is a total loss,” Singh said, noting that while his family and cattle were spared, the financial blow is devastating. Police confirmed the facility lacked all necessary permits and was operating in flagrant violation of residential safety norms.
