West Bengal polls: NIA to probe bomb haul in tinderbox Bhangar

KOLKATA: Centre has ordered an NIA investigation in the recovery of 79 crude bombs in Bhangar on Saturday.

"Central govt is of the opinion that a Scheduled Offence under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, has been committed in the instant case, and the aforesaid case is related to the illegal storage and handling of explosives and crude bombs to endanger the lives and property of citizens, thereby intending to create fear and terror in the minds of the people," the order said.



On Saturday, a team from North Kashipur police station raided an abandoned house near a burial ground at Poilepara. Police said this led to the recovery of "79 round-shaped objects tied with jute ropes, looking like crude bombs, and other incriminating materials."

None have been arrested in the case yet. Sources said NIA may interrogate local strongman Wahidul Islam in the case.

On Saturday, tension flared in Bhangar after some locals allegedly assaulted Wahidul, also a key accused in the March 19 blast case, after he suddenly returned to the area. Wahidul had been on the run since the incident. According to sources, residents spotted Wahidul in the Chak Moricha Tetultala Ghat area. They surrounded him and beat him up before handing over to cops.

Bhangar is locked in a fierce poll battle in which Trinamool's Saokat Molla is taking on ISF chief Nawsad Siddique. Trinamool lost this seat to Siddique in 2021, but Bhangar drove Trinamool's Saayoni Ghosh's win from Jadavpur in the Lok Sabha election.
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