A blast in Central Kolkata on Saturday afternoon left a 58-year-old rag picker, Bapi Das, injured. The explosion occurred at the intersection of Blochmann Street and S.N. Banerjee Road at around 1:45 PM. Das, who resides on the footpath along S.N. Banerjee Road, sustained an injury to his right wrist and has been taken to NRS Hospital for treatment.
The incident was reported to the Taltala Police Station, whose officers quickly reached the scene. They discovered a plastic gunny bag at the entry point of Blochmann Street, raising concerns about the nature of the explosion. The area was immediately cordoned off with security tape, and a Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad (BDDS) was called to assess the situation.
BDDS personnel conducted a thorough inspection of the bag and the surrounding vicinity. After the area was deemed safe, normal traffic resumed.
An eyewitness at the scene told ANI, “We were standing nearby when the explosion took place. We immediately ran to the spot and saw a rag picker lying injured. His right wrist was hurt. The explosion was loud, and the police quickly arrived to take him to the hospital.”
Bapi Das, who recently began living on the footpath and has no formal profession, is still receiving medical care. His statement has not yet been recorded, which police will do once he recovers.
Forensic teams, along with the police, are investigating the incident to determine the exact cause and nature of the blast. As of now, no further injuries have been reported, and authorities are continuing their inquiry.
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