Kolkata Blast: A ragpicker was injured on Saturday in a blast on SN Banerjee Road in central Kolkata, West Bengal. Following this, Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting a thorough investigation into the blast incident. He stated that the Kolkata police has "limited capacity" to handle the situation and demanded an NIA probe.
"Given the seriousness of the incident and its potential implications for public safety, I respectfully request that the Ministry of Home Affairs initiate a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this explosion due to the local police's limited capacity to handle the situation comprehensively.I urge you to consider a detailed investigation by the NIA or another central agency to ensure a thorough examination of all possible angles related to the incident," the letter read.
The incident occurred at 1:45 PM at the crossing of Bochmann St and SN Banerjee Road. Thereafter, the officer in charge of central Kolkata's Taltala police station went to check the spot and discovered a bag. The area was cordoned off with security tape and a Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads team reached there and searched the surroundings.
The traffic moment has now been allowed after the police found the area to be safe. The reason behind the blast remains unknown.
The rag picker has been identified as Bapi Das. He has been admitted to NRS Medical College and Hospital after he sustained an injury on his right wrist. Police are yet to record his statement.
A person claiming to be an eyewitness said: "We were standing nearby when the explosion took place...We immediately ran to the spot and saw that one person who was a rag picker was lying by. The person sustained an injury on his right wrist. The sound of the explosion was very loud...Police immediately reached here and took the injured to the hospital...The traffic was blocked...No one else was injured."