
VASCO: In a tragic incident, two women, including a pregnant one, were killed after a blast which was believed to have occurred due to an LPG cylinder leakage at New Vaddem, Vasco on Saturday morning.
According to the police, the deceased Shivani Rajawat (26), who was four-and-half months pregnant and her mother Jaidevi Chauhan (50) were staying in a rented flat of a commercial building next to Rashtroli Jai Santoshi Mata Temple at New Vaddem.
Mormugao ward councillor Sudesh Bhosle said, “There was a huge sound after the blast. The glass windows and other items were shattered all over due to the blast. The local residents informed the police, fire brigade. And an ambulance was called.”
Shivani's husband Anurag Singh works in the Indian Navy and was not at home when the tragedy took place. He had gone for work on Friday night.
Shivani's mother had come from Gwalior recently and both were supposed to leave for Gwalior later in the day.
On getting the information, the Vasco police team headed by PSI Swapnil Naik rushed to the spot and found both the bodies lying in the kitchen.
Since the doors and windows were closed during the explosion, the police suspected that LPG gas cylinder might have been accidentally left open at night and the blast might have caused after the women tried to light the gas in the morning.
The Vasco police conducted the panchanama and sent the bodies to the Chicalim Sub-District Hospital and after inquest panchanama, the bodies were sent to the South District Hospital, Margao for post-mortem examination.
Further investigations are on under the guidance of Vasco PI Kapil Nayak and overall guidance of Mormugao DySP Salim Shaikh.
Meanwhile, the civic and consumer action group, GOACAN has called for an inquiry by the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (DCSCA) into the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Roland Martins, Co-ordinator GOACAN demanded that the inquiry to be conducted by Civil Supplies Inspectors should determine two critical aspects. The first is whether the dealer supplying the LPG refills had conducted the Mandatory Mechanical Check (MMC) which is a Safety Check to be done once every two years and whether the date of the same was endorsed on the Domestic Gas Consumer Card. The second is whether insurance available to LPG Consumers in such cases of injury or death will result in compensation being paid to the families.
In addition, GOACAN has informed the authorities that a safety awareness is required to be done in the locality for the benefit of LPG consumers.
“GOACAN has decided to pursue the matter with Jayant Tari, Director DCSCA and Sanjit Rodrigues IAS Secretary Consumer Affairs at a meeting to be held on November 22,” Martins added.