NREGS worker injured as country bomb explodes during restoration of village pond in AP

Vizianagaram: A 51-year-old worker, Kattala Appa Rao, was seriously injured when a country-made bomb exploded during renovation works at an ancient pond on the outskirts of Kantakapalli village in Kottavalasa mandal of Vizianagaram district on Monday. Police suspect the bomb was meant for wild boars, which have been damaging crops in nearby villages and frequent the area near the pond.At the time of the incident, around 50 workers were involved in the renovation works at Bhama Sagaram tank in Kantakapalli village under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). Luckily, others were not injured in the blast, except Appa Rao, whose crowbar hit the bomb hidden in the mud. The injured worker, who suffered heavy blood loss due to the bleeding caused by the glass pieces stuffed inside the bomb, was rushed to Pendurthy govt hospital. Doctors said he was out of danger but would be kept under observation for some time.Police said the NREGS workers were involved in digging the old pond, when Appa Rao's digging bar or crowbar hit the soil, hit the country-made bomb, which exploded and caused severe injuries to his hands and legs. As country bombs are usually stuffed with glass pieces and nails, they pierced into his limbs and other parts of the body. Kottavalasa circle inspector Shanmukha Rao said they have warned locals before over planting of bombs to prevent wild animals from entering their agricultural lands, and will initiate strict action henceforth.As part of restoration and renovation of old village tanks, the govt has initiated works under NREGS at many places across the state. The initiatives are designed to enhance water storage, support irrigation, and improve agricultural livelihood in rural areas.