A suspected crude bomb blast in West Bengal’s Hooghly district resulted in the tragic death of a seven-year-old boy on Monday. Additionally, two other young boys suffered serious injuries in the explosion, which took place in Pandua, and are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital.
According to sources familiar with the incident, a group of children were playing near a pond in Pandua’s Netajipalli Colony when they discovered the explosive device inside a pit. Suddenly, a loud noise rang out in the vicinity, prompting residents to rush to the scene, where they found several children unconscious.
The victim was identified as Raj Biswas, while the two injured individuals are Rupam Ballav (13) and Sourav Chowdhury (8).
The three boys were initially taken to Pandua Hospital, where Biswas was pronounced dead upon arrival. Due to the severe condition of the other two, they were transferred to Chunchura Imambara Hospital.
Ballav’s grandmother mentioned that he suffered serious injuries to his left hand.
The Hooghly Rural Police are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee is slated to conduct an election rally today in Pandua in support of party candidate Rachna Banerjee, contesting from the Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and incumbent MP of Hooghly, Locket Chatterjee, visited the family of the victim in Pandua. Chatterjee accused the Trinamool Congress of being implicated in the blast.
“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 occurred just a day before the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, scheduled for Tuesday. Four constituencies in the state are set to go to the polls.