Officials of a number of state agencies like police, special task force (STF) and the intelligence branch (IB) visited the site of the explosion at Sujapur near here on Friday as part of their investigation.

Six persons had died when a machine had exploded at a plastic crushing unit on Thursday.

A team of STF officers inspected the spot around 2.30pm and found a piece weighing around 25kg and believed to be of the exploded crusher about 100m from the unit.

After an hour, a team of the intelligence branch shot the video of the entire area, including splinters which were strewn all around.

The investigating agencies declined comments. “In the initial probe, they have ruled out electrical short circuit triggering the blast. Some of the agencies are waiting for the findings of the forensic team,” said a source.

A team of forensic experts is scheduled to arrive at the site on Saturday.

All six Congress MLAs of Malda district, including local legislator Isha Khan Chowdhury, visited the spot on Friday and demanded higher compensation for the blast victims’ kin.

On Thursday, state minister Firhad Hakim had handed over cheques for Rs 2 lakh and Rs 50,000 to the families of the deceased and the injured.

“The amount of compensation is too low. There should be much higher compensation for the deceased and the injured. A proper probe should be ordered to find out what exactly led to the explosion,” said Isha.

Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, a state vice-president of BJP’s farmers’ front, was prevented from visiting the blast site by a section of local people. They demonstrated and alleged that the BJP was trying to create a fear of environment over the incident.

Sreerupa, who was being accompanied by supporters, left in a hurry, but reiterated the BJP’s demand for an NIA probe.

Trinamul leader Moazzem Hossain, who surveyed the blast site, slammed opposition parties.

“The state government has taken all possible steps. A minister came all the way from Calcutta within four hours of the incident and stood by the affected families. Those who are treated at the Malda Medical College & Hospital are being provided with best possible treatment. Also, the police and some other state agencies are conducting investigations and anybody found responsible will have to face legal steps. The Congress and the BJP leaders are trying to reap political dividend out of this unfortunate incident,” said Hossain.

One of the two partners of the plant were among the deceased.