Malda blast: CID starts probe into death of 2 bomb squad members

A high level inquiry team under ADG CID has been formed after the two bomb squad personnel including an officer were killed while defusing bombs. The victims were assistant sub-inspector Vishudhhananda Mishra and Constable Subrata Choudhury. They were taken to the Malda Medical College and Hospital where they succumbed to the injuries on late Monday evening. While another victim, who was injured in the incident has been brought to the SSKM Hospital for treatment. The doctors in the SSKM said that the condition of the patient is stated to be stable now.

Senior CID officials along with the senior officials in the district on Tuesday reached the spot and began a detailed inquiry into the incident. They are probing if the proper method of defusing bombs were followed. They are also investigating if there were any inadequacy on the part of the victims at the time of defusing bombs.

ADG CID Ram Phal Pawar said: “We are looking probing if the standard operating procedure was followed at the time of defusing the bombs. A high level committee has been formed to investigate the matter.”

Meanwhile, the senior CID and the district officials on Tuesday gave a guard of honour to the two persons at Malda. Senior CID officials have given all assurances to the victims’ family members that steps would be taken to provide jobs to the next of kin of the deceased. Family members of the victims demanded an enquiry into the deaths of the two so that they come to know whether the victims were well equipped to handle such a situation. Some have raised questions that the victims might have not understood the situation beforehand.

The incident prompted the senior police officers in the district including the police super to reach the spot. A huge contingent of police force was swung into action to bring the situation under control. The incident had triggered tension among the villagers. Police were conducting search to nab the culprits.

Kalam Seikh, Israil Seikh, Suku Seikh and Simu Seikh sustained splinter injuries when the miscreants hurled bombs at them. 

They were taken to Malda Medical College and Hospital where they were declared brought dead. The incident happened on Sunday night when they were sitting outside a house. Saddam Hossain, another victim who suffered injury has been undergoing treatment at the hospital. 

Five persons were also injured in the accident some of whom were admitted to private hospitals in Malda. Family members of the Trinamool Congress workers who were also killed in the accident on Monday had alleged that some Congress backed goons hurled bombs on the TMC workers following a quarrel. 

The miscreants who went to the spot had placed some bombs at the place which went unnoticed by the local people at the hour of crisis.