West Bengal: Minor killed in suspected crude bomb blast in Hooghly district

In a shocking incident, a teenager died in a suspected bomb blast in the Pandua area of the Hooghly district on May 6. Two more teenagers were injured in the incident, suspected to be a crude bomb blast.

A group of children were playing beside a pond in Pandua’s Netajipalli Colony when they found an explosive device inside a pit. Suddenly, a loud noise was heard in the area, and residents rushed to the spot where they found some children unconscious. The victim was identified as Raj Biswas, and the two injured were Rupam Ballav (13) and Sourav Chowdhury (8).

The three boys involved in the tragic incident were promptly rushed to the Pandua Hospital, where Raj Biswas was declared dead. Due to the critical condition of the other two boys, Rupam Ballav and Sourav Chowdhury, they were immediately referred to the Chunchura Imambara Hospital for further medical attention. Rupam Ballav’s grandmother revealed the extent of his injuries, particularly noting severe damage to his left hand. Meanwhile, the Hooghly Rural Police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

Following the tragic incident, BJP leader and MP of Hooghly, Locket Chatterjee, visited the victim’s family in Pandua. During her visit, Chatterjee accused the Trinamool Congress of involvement in the blast, adding a contentious political dimension to the already tense situation. “Abhishek Banerjee is scheduled to visit today. Before his arrival, such a blast happened. It is terror that has been prevailing in the locality since the 2018 panchayat elections. Is this the way the Trinamool Congress want to campaign? The National Investigation Agency should investigate the incident,” she added.

The incident unfolded just one day before the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, scheduled for May 7. Four constituencies in the State will head to the polls.