Retired govt employee's house damaged in explosion in Ganjam village

Berhampur: The house of a retired govt employee was partially damaged in an explosion at Chikalakhandi village in Ganjam district late Monday night, police said.The houseowner, his wife and son, who were sleeping, came out of the house immediately after hearing the sound. The incident triggered panic among villagers.The wall of the house collapsed in the explosion while furniture and several household items were damaged. Other villagers rushed to the spot after hearing the loud sound. “We immediately came out and escaped unhurt,” said G Kamaraju Reddy, houseowner.Senior police officers, including SDPO of Chhatrapur, Chandan Ghadei, inspector in-charge of Chhatrapur police station, Sabyasachi Malla, rushed to the spot.“We suspect the explosion might have taken place inside the house,” said Malla. “As he has no enmity with anyone in the village, we don’t think miscreants may have hurled bombs,” he said. “Despite this, we are investigating the incident from different angles. Three police teams have been formed for the probe,” he added.Malla said CCTV footage from nearby areas was being scanned. A forensic team along with the dog squad have been deployed to assist in the investigation,” he said.