Chemical from detained ship spills on road in W. Bengal, authorities order probe

East Midnapore (WB), Dec 10 (ANI): Port and district authorities in East Midnapore of West Bengal ordered a thorough probe after tonnes of ammonium nitrate, contained in a detained ship from Estonian freight ship spilled on a busy road during transportation.

A cargo ship, M.V Fani carrying around 8,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, was detained on November 1 at Haldia Port following intelligence inputs that the insurgents might have access to this consignment for making explosives.

Officials believe that the material could have been pilfered while on its way from Haldia to an explosives-manufacturing factory located in Jharkhand.

"We are clearing the chemical and we have been asked to spray water here after the clearing, so that it does not pose any harm to anybody," said Sheik Abdul Rahman, a worker.

Meanwhile, the apex district authorities confirmed that the company handling the consignment has violated the undertakings given to the police as such legal action would be taken against it and the agency assigned in forwarding the consignment.

"I was informed that the company to which the consignment belongs, they have given an undertaking to police authorities that they would handle the material in a particular kind of way. They will transport in a particular kind of way, so if these conditions or undertakings are violated, then we will take necessary legal actions against them," said Choten Dhendup Lama, District Magistrate, East Midnapore. (ANI)