Blast destroys TMC leader's home in Bengal, BJP claims bombs stored inside

A massive explosion ripped through the residence of Trinamool Congress leader Dwijen Mondal in West Bengal’s Baruipur on Friday, reducing the ground floor of the house to rubble and damaging several neighbouring properties.

The blast occurred in the Lalpol area of Baruipur Uttarbhag, triggering panic among local residents and sparking a political controversy after BJP workers alleged that bombs had been stored at the TMC leader’s house.

Police, however, have not confirmed that explosives were involved and said their preliminary suspicion was that the blast may have been caused by a cooking gas cylinder.

No casualties have been reported so far.

BLAST DESTROYS GROUND FLOOR

The explosion was powerful enough to severely damage Mondal’s residence, with the ground floor of the house almost completely destroyed. Several houses in the vicinity also reportedly suffered damage due to the intensity of the blast.

Police and fire brigade personnel reached the spot after receiving information and cordoned off the area.

Baruipur SDPO Atish Biswas said investigators were currently examining the site and that it would be premature to comment on the exact cause of the explosion.

“We are investigating the matter. I will not comment on anything at this moment. Primarily, we think it must be some kind of cylinder blast,” Biswas said.

He said the house had been extensively damaged and investigators were checking whether a cylinder could still be present somewhere inside the debris.

“The house has been destroyed. There may be a cylinder in some corner of the house. The fire brigade has done the inspection. Experts will be able to tell everything,” the officer said.

BJP ALLEGES BOMBS WERE STORED

The explosion has also triggered a political row in the area, with local BJP workers staging protests and claiming that bombs were being made or stored at the TMC leader’s residence.

Some local residents alleged that Mondal had been involved in illicit activities at the premises for a long period and claimed that a large quantity of bombs had been stockpiled inside the house.

Locals further claimed that the explosives were allegedly being kept with the intention of targeting BJP workers in the area.

These allegations have not been independently verified, and police have not confirmed the presence of bombs or any other explosives at the site.

FORENSIC TEAM TO EXAMINE DEBRIS

A forensic team has been called to the location to determine what caused the explosion and examine the debris for signs of explosives.

Investigators are expected to assess the condition of the house, identify the source of the blast and determine whether the explosion was consistent with a cylinder blast or involved any other material.

The fire brigade has already inspected the premises, while police teams are continuing their investigation.

The incident has heightened political tensions in the locality, with BJP workers demanding an investigation into their claims even as authorities await the findings of forensic experts.

Police said the exact cause of the explosion will be established only after the ongoing investigation and forensic examination are completed.