A tragic incident unfolded in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Monday as a suspected crude bomb blast claimed the life of a seven-year-old boy and left two other minors critically injured. The blast occurred in Pandua, specifically in Netajipalli Colony, while a group of children were playing beside a pond. They stumbled upon the explosive device inside a pit, which resulted in a loud explosion that left several children unconscious.
The victim, identified as Raj Biswas, succumbed to his injuries at Pandua Hospital, where he was rushed immediately after the blast. Meanwhile, the two injured boys, Rupam Ballav (13) and Sourav Chowdhury (8) were transferred to Chunchura Imambara Hospital due to the severity of their conditions. Ballav's grandmother revealed that he sustained severe injuries to his left hand.
The Hooghly Rural Police have initiated an investigation into the incident to ascertain its cause and circumstances. However, the tragic blast has already sparked political controversy, with Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee scheduled to hold an election rally in Pandua for party candidate Rachna Banerjee.
Amidst the political tensions, BJP leader and Hooghly's sitting MP Locket Chatterjee visited the victim's family and accused the Trinamool Congress of involvement in the blast. She expressed concern over the timing of the incident, coinciding with the election rally, and called for a thorough investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The unfortunate event unfolded just a day before the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, adding a somber note to the political atmosphere in the state. As four constituencies prepare for polling, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by communities amidst the electoral fervor.
