An eight-year-old boy was killed and nine persons were injured in a low intensity explosion at the Nagerbazar area in north-east Kolkata on Tuesday.
The incident took place in the congested Kazipara neighbourhood around 9 a.m. in front of a four storied building, housing the offices of the Chairman of South Dum Dum Municipality, Panchu Roy.
“The blast in the Dum Dum area was that of a low intensity crude socket bomb which was placed on the pavement, adjacent to a fruit shop. A child died in the blast and nine others were injured,” said Rajesh Kumar Singh, Commissioner of Barrackpore Police Commissionerate.
“No improvised explosive devices or powerful explosives were used here. Materials such as sulphur or ammonium nitrate may have been used here,” said Mr. Singh.
Locals said the child Bibhas Ghosh, 8, a resident of the area, had come to the nearby sweet shop with his parents. His mother Sita Ghosh also sustained serious injuries in the blast and has been admitted to the S.S.K.M. Hospital. The fruit seller and an autorickshaw driver at the shop were also seriously injured. While one of the injured persons has been admitted to the M.R. Bangur Hospital, the rest are being treated at the R.G. Kar Hospital.
The child’s father Joy Ghosh alleged that the hospital had insisted that he complete the paper work before initiating treatment. “We never knew that just because we are poor we will not get proper treatment.”
The incident resulted into a war of words between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Trinamool leader and State’s Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh may be behind the incident. State BJP president denied the allegation and demanded a probe by the NIA.
