Two killed, six hurt in blast at cracker making unit in Pathanamthitta

KOCHI: Two persons were killed and six others injured in an explosion at a cracker making unit at the headquarters of Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha (PRDS) in Eravaiperoor near Pathanamthitta on Saturday. The deceased were identified as Gurudas, 45, and his wife Asha, 35. The mishap took place when the site was being prepared for the 146th birth anniversary of Poykayil Appachan known as Kumara Guru, the radical social reformer and founder of PRDS. The fire cracker was set up on a temporary basis for the fire cracker offering by the followers of the Kumara Guru.

Gurudas was the man in charge of Vedi Vazhipadu. He died on the spot while his wife Asha succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Gurudas belonged to Mahadevikkad near Mavelikkara.  Among the six injured, two are in critical condition. The injured were identified as Leelamani, Abhijith, Pradeep, Vijayakumari, Swarnamma and Thejus. The injured were admitted in Kottayam Medical College and Pushpagiri Medical College. Police suspect that the explosion took place when the persons were engaged in making fire-crackers. 
Officials said the place did not have the licence  to store explosive materials.