Five individuals suffered severe injuries in a suspected crude bomb explosion in Chaltaberia village, North Kashipur, Block 2, Bhangar, Bengal, on Monday night.

Police presume the blast resulted from an accidental detonation at a nearby bomb-making facility. Among the injured is an ISF panchayat member. All victims were promptly transported to SSKM Hospital in Bengal.

According to sources, the bomb-making equipment remains at the blast site.

The incident occurred mere hours prior to the commencement of vote counting, shaking the North Kashipur area. This region witnessed extensive election campaigning in Bengal, with Bhangad experiencing violence during polling.

Hospital sources, as reported by ABP Ananda, revealed that all five injured individuals, aged 25-35 and affiliated with ISF, sustained burns ranging from 30% to 50%.

One victim is in critical condition, and doctors are uncertain about the cause of the burns, suggesting they might have resulted from a fire. The blast occurred approximately an hour after midnight, and the injured were transported to the hospital around 3 AM.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Top Leaders Who Are Trailing In Initial Trends

Section 144 Imposed in Sandeshkhali

In response to renewed unrest, authorities enforced Section 144 in Sandeshkhali. The restrictions were reinstated on the morning of June 4, the day of vote counting. Section 144 applies to 20 areas across 6 gram panchayats under Sandeshkhali’s Nazat Block 1.

Sandeshkhali has been a focal point in Bengal’s political landscape, marred by allegations of sexual harassment and land grabbing against suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan.

These accusations triggered widespread protests and violence. The BJP strategically fielded Rekha Patra, an alleged victim of the violence, as its candidate for the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, encompassing the Sandeshkhali assembly segment. Meanwhile, the TMC nominated former MP Haji Nurul Islam, the incumbent Haroa MLA, for the same seat.

Also Read: Akhilesh Yadav Claims Opposition Workers Under House Arrest, Shares CCTV Footage