Shiv Sena calls fire at Pulgaon 'shameful', blames Centre

Mumbai: Terming the massive fire at the Central Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon as “abnormal”, NDA ally Shiv Sena on Wednesday smelt sabotage behind it and asked the Centre to take responsibility for the loss of lives and the huge stockpile of ammunition. “Our enemies like Pakistan and China must have been very happy to hear that a huge stockpile of ammunition has got destroyed in the fire. There would not have been so much loss even in a war. Our government only expresses sorrow over the loss of lives and order inquiries. It is shameful that there are laxities on matters related to the nation’s security,” Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana. [caption id=“attachment_2802490” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. News18[/caption] “If army personnel are struggling at the borders and there are not enough weapons for them, who is responsible? The government cannot shirk off its responsibilities. This fire was not normal and has raised many doubts and questions,” it said. At least 18 army personnel were killed after a massive fire on Tuesday broke out at one of Asia’s biggest ammunition depot at Pulgaon in Wardha district of Maharashtra that houses the largest stockpile of weapons in the country. The Sena mouthpiece further said the way “corruption” can not be tolerated in the AgustaWestland deal, fires in ammunition depot can not be condoned. “Earlier there were incidents in submarines, and now there is a fire in an ammunition depot. Why do these kinds of incidents keep happening? If they happen due to negligence then who is in a slumber with regards to national security? If it is happening due to a sinister plot, it is difficult to imagine the extent of power of our enemies,” it said.