Week after factory blast, 4 dead, anger spills onto NH

Raipur: Almost after a week of Raigarh district's factory blast that left eight people with burn injuries, four including a nine-month-old baby girl, have died on Wednesday and Thursday sparking protests and a highway blockade as villagers accused the company of negligence and pressure to dilute the case.Deaths have triggered anger in the village, with relatives placing the bodies on National Highway-49 and blocking traffic, demanding compensation and strict action against those responsible.The incident of a major fire had taken place at Mangal Carbon plant in Raigarh district on Feb 5, when workers were engaged in processing old tyres to extract black oil used for road work. First fatality was reported on Feb 9, when Bhumi Kharia, a 9-month-old infant who had suffered 80–90% burns, died during treatment in Raipur. On Feb 11, three more victims succumbed to their injuries: Bhumi's father Shiv Kharia (27), her grandfather Saheblal Kharia (46), and another injured worker Indiwar (19), officials said. Three of the deceased belonged to the same family.Inside the hospital ward, relatives described scenes of grief, with the child's mother — herself injured — reportedly collapsing after losing both her infant and husband. Family members said the parents had been working at the plant for livelihood and often took their children along because there was no alternative care arrangement.Raigarh Collector Mayank Chaturvedi told reporters that the administration's team had reached the site and discussions with the families were underway.