Jalandhar: Police on Monday night arrested the owner of the factory which collapsed, killing at least two persons here, even as the Punjab government ordered a high level inquiry into the incident.
Two persons were killed while several others were feared trapped after the three-storey building collapsed in Focal Point area at around midnight yesterday.
Nearly 57 people have been rescued from the collapse site till mid-noon, Deputy Commissioner (Jalandhar) Priyank Bharti said, quoting personnel from the fire brigade and army who are engaged in the rescue operation.
The cause of the mishap is yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile, police arrested the factory owner and registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against her.
"We have arrested industrialist Sheetal Vij, the factory owner. A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against Vij," Police Commissioner Gaurav Yadav said.
Earlier in the evening, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal ordered setting up of a high level committee headed by Jalandhar divisional commissioner Anurag Verma to probe into the collapse of the blanket manufacturing unit.
The state government also announced a compensation of Rs two lakh each to the kin of the deceased. It also announced a compensation of Rs 65,000 each to the seriously injured and Rs 45,000 each to injured persons.
There is, however, no confirmation yet on the exact number of people trapped.
Intermittent rain is hampering the rescue operation being done by National Disaster Response Force personnel, district and police officials.
PTI
