Two persons lost their lives and four others got injured in West
Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district as a mortar shell, reportedly carried by the
floodwaters of Teesta river, exploded, said police.
Police stated the mortar shell may have belonged to the Army and
was carried by floodwaters flowing down the hills following the cloudburst and
flash floods in Sikkim on Wednesday.
Local police sources said the incident happened in Chapadanga
village in Kranti block when one person took the mortar shell home to sell it
as scrap metal and tried to break it open on Thursday.
“The four injured persons have been admitted to a hospital. A
thorough probe has started,” said a senior police officer.
“The condition of at least two injured persons is extremely
critical and the death toll might increase,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Jalpaiguri Police has issued an advisory asking people
not to handle any firearms or explosives flowing down the river.
“In light of the severe flooding in Sikkim, certain military
equipment including firearms and explosives were carried by the Teesta River.
We urge the public to be vigilant and report any unfamiliar objects, crates,
packages, firearms or any suspicious items seen floating in the water to the
nearest police station immediately.
“Please refrain from handling these items in any manner, as they
pose a potential risk of a dangerous explosion,” stated the notice.
The Sikkim Government has also issued a similar warning, asking
people to be cautious if they venture into the Teesta River basin as there
could be explosives and ammunition lying under the muddy waters.
“These ammunitions should not be handled or picked up inadvertently
as they could explode causing grievous injuries,” said the State Land Revenue
& Disaster Management Department in an advisory.
The local people were directed to bring to the notice of the
district administration and related authorities in the event of finding any explosive
materials in the river basin.
PTI
