Puri, June 3: The Kumbharpada police have detained four firecracker traders and are interrogating them in connection with the Puri cracker explosion incident that has taken 13 lives so far. 

The traders belong to the Gop and Chharichhak areas in the Puri district. 

The fatal explosion had occurred at Narendra Puskarani (Narendra Pond) while Chapakela (boating) of Mahaprabhu was underway on May 29 nights. While 13 people, including some children, have lost their lives, 17 others are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.  

The SRC is investigating the incident, while the Chief Minister has declared Rs ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the family of each deceased person and free treatment for each injured. 

Locals have alleged that a non-licensee exploded crackers during the Chapakhela. They have blamed police and fire personnel for the mishap.  

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met the families of the deceased and expressed his condolences yesterday. 

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