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NT Bureau
Villupuram, Apr 26:

        Commissioner of Revenue Administration M F Farooqui, appointed by the State government to probe into the Chendur blast, commenced its investigation today. The residents of the village submitted a memorandum to Farooqui.

        It may be recalled that 16 persons, including five women, died when a jeep carrying explosives blew up at Chendur on the Villupuram-Chennai National Highway on 7 April.

        The vehicle was carrying 200 kg of 'slurry explosives' and detonators from a godown at Pathirapuliyur, five kilometers from the accident site. Twenty-three persons were admitted to hospitals in Tindivanam and Puducherry with serious burn injuries.

        Following pleas from various political parties that the RDO probe into the blast would not suffice, the State government had on 10 April appointed Farooqi to probe the incident and asked him to submit a report within a month.

        Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced that the one-man inquiry commission would go into several aspects, including review of existing rules and orders with regard to issuance of no objection certificate for storage, sale, transporting and usage of explosives, and suggest measures to prevent recurrence of such accidents.

        Senior officials of Villupuram District Collectorate were also present along with Farooqui during the inquiry.