License holder, managing director held for explosion at firecracker unit

The licence holder and managing director of a private fireworks unit at nearby Olukacheri where a cracker explosion killed nine persons have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, police said.

Dhanalakshmi, the licence holder, and her son Krishnamoorthy, the managing director of the unit, were arrested under various sections of the Explosives Act and produced today before a court here. They have been remanded to 15-day judicial custody.

The woman was held this morning and her son yesterday evening, they said. Nine persons were killed and three injured yesterday when crackers being made at the unit exploded. Two of the injured are stated to be serious.