Sixth and final accused in UP illegal cracker factory blast arrested

Police on Friday arrested Shakil, the sixth and final named accused in the August 31 illegal cracker factory blast that killed 14 people, officials said.

Shakil was arrested around 9 pm after a joint team of Manjhanpur police and the Special Operations Group received information that he was trying to flee the area.

Police said Shakil was stopped while travelling on a motorcycle but allegedly opened fire at the team. In retaliatory firing, he suffered a bullet injury to his left leg. A country-made pistol, a live cartridge and the motorcycle were recovered from his possession, officials said.

Shakil was the last of the six named accused to be arrested in the case. He was taken to the district hospital for treatment, while further legal proceedings are underway.

The district administration, accompanied by police, also demolished Shakil's house in Mahmoodpur village on Friday evening, officials said.

Earlier on Friday, the reward for information leading to Shakil's arrest was increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.

"The reward was enhanced by Prayagraj Range Inspector General of Police Ajay Mishra," Kaushambi Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan 

Prajapat said.

The blast took place on August 31 at an illegal cracker factory in Manauri town.

Three people who sustained serious injuries in the incident are undergoing treatment at SRN Hospital in Prayagraj, police said.

An FIR was registered against six people, including cracker factory owner and operator Naushad, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Explosives Act.

Before Shakil's arrest, five accused -- Naushad, his wife Kahkashan Bano, son Adil, and Shakil's wife Shabana and daughter Saina -- had been arrested, while Shakil remained absconding, the SP said.

Shabana and Saina were arrested on the day of the blast. Naushad was arrested on September 1 following an encounter in the Charwa police station area, during which he sustained a gunshot injury to his leg, police said.

Adil was arrested on September 3 after suffering gunshot injuries to both legs in an encounter. Kahkashan Bano was also arrested from her village, Mahmudpur, on the same day, the SP said.

After the blast, the administration demolished Naushad's three-storey house and a godown belonging to his cracker factory in Mahmoodpur using bulldozers. 

Police said another godown belonging to Naushad in Muratganj market was also demolished.  (with inputs from PTI)