West Bengal polls: NIA to probe Bangal bomb shipments

KOLKATA: The Center has ordered an NIA probe into the 79 crude bombs recovered in Bangal on Saturday.“The central government is of the view that this case constitutes a crime under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 and involves the illegal storage and handling of explosives and crude bombs endangering the lives and properties of citizens, thus creating fear and terror in the hearts of the people,” the order said.A team from North Kashpur police station raided an abandoned house near Poilepara cemetery on Saturday. Police said this led to the “discovery of 79 round objects tied with jute rope that looked like crude bombs, as well as other incriminating material”.No one has been arrested in connection with the case. Sources said the NIA may question local strongman Wahidul Islam over the case.Tensions increased in Bangal on Saturday when some locals allegedly attacked Wahidul, also the prime accused in the March 19 blast, after he suddenly returned to the area. Wahidul has been on the run since the incident. According to sources, residents found Wahidul in Chak Moricha Tetultala Ghat area. They surrounded him and beat him before handing him over to the police.Bangal is locked in a tight poll battle with Trinamool’s Saokat Molla pitted against ISF chief Nawsad Siddique. Trinamool lost this seat to Siddique in 2021, but Bangal pushed Trinamool’s Saayoni Ghosh to victory from Jadavpur in the Lok Sabha elections.