Blast in central Kolkata amid protests against RG Kar horror, BJP demands NIA probe

Kolkata News: A 58-year-old ragpicker was injured in a blast that occurred at around 1:45 pm today at the intersection of Blochmann Road and SN Banerjee Road in central Kolkata, authorities said.

Information was received around 1:45 pm that at the intersection of Blochmann Road and SN Banerjee Road, an incident of explosion took place and one person, a rag picker, was injured, informed the Kolkata police.

According to the information gathered, a plastic bag was found at the scene of the incident. It was later removed by bomb disposal experts.

The ragpicker, identified as Bapi Das, was rushed to NRS Medical College and Hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Accordingly, OC Taltala reached the spot and learned that the injured man was taken to Nil Ratan Sircar and sustained an injury to his right wrist.

The area was cordoned off with security tape and then the Bomb Detection and Disposal Team (BDDS) was called in.

“BDDS personnel reached the spot, checked the bag and the surrounding area. After their evacuation, movement was allowed,” Kolkata police said.

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a thorough probe into the central Kolkata blast incident.

“I urge you to consider a detailed investigation by the NIA or another central agency to ensure thorough examination of all possible angles related to the incident,” the letter read.

Meanwhile, in an effort to monitor the situation and ensure security, Kolkata Police have installed CCTV cameras at the junior doctors’ protest site in Salt Lake, Kolkata and surrounding areas.

The TMC had earlier claimed that “left wing and extreme” organisations were preparing to “attack” the protesting doctors. TMC leader Kunal Kunal Ghosh had released an audio clip claiming that an attack was being prepared.

Later, the Kolkata police took judicial notice of the TMC’s claim and arrested two people.

Junior doctors continued their protest near Swasthya Bhawan in Kolkata, demanding justice and calling for enhanced security measures at medical facilities even after the Supreme Court set a deadline for doctors to resume work on Tuesday.

Earlier on September 13, junior doctors in Kolkata criticised the West Bengal chief minister for rejecting their request for live telecast of a meeting and not meeting them.

The doctors argued that their request was reasonable, given that parliamentary proceedings and many administrative meetings are broadcast live. They expressed frustration at being forced to leave their electronic devices outside the meeting room, preventing them from recording the proceedings.

The second-year medical student was raped and murdered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on August 9.