A high-intensity blast rocked a busy market in Kolkata’s Dum Dum on Tuesday killing one and injuring four others, including a child. The blast, which hit Nagerbazar, shattered the pedestrian walk and damaged nearby shops.
Barrackpore Police Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Singh said that the bomb squad of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been called to the spot and the area has been cordoned off.
“A large explosion took place outside a shop in Nagerbazar area. What caused the explosion is yet to be ascertained. Several people have been injured in the blast,” he said.
“Found some iron nails but can’t ascertain cause of blast yet as there is no smell of gunpowder,” a senior police official at the site was quoted as saying by ANI.
Reports say that the explosion happened outside a shop on the ground floor of a building at around 9 am. According to the police, the office of South Dum Dum Municipality chairperson is located in the building.
All the injured were taken to the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which is close to the blast site. One of those being treated succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
According to reports, Purnendu Basu, Minister for Technical Education in the Trinamool Congress government in the state, pointed fingers at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
“I think this type of blast is similar to the ones carried out by RSS elsewhere,” Basu was quoted as saying by ANI.
“TMC has no purpose (for such acts). There is no Congress organisation at all. CPI(M) have already lost their backbone. In the process of negation, you can connect who (it) may be,” Basu said.
Panchu Gopal Roy, Trinamool Congress leader and Chairman of South Dumdum municipality, said that the blast was targeted at him. He, too, insinuated at RSS’ hand without naming the organisation.
“I think they tried to target me. Today is 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. We all know which group was involved in Gandhiji’s killing. I will not be surprised if that same group was involved in this blast,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies.)