Mystery surrounds Joi blast

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

DHEMAJI, May 4: An early morning explosion which occurred in a private residence at No. 2 Murkongselek village near the railway station here, rocked the area. The explosion punched numerous holes in the CGI sheets overhead, besides damaging an RCC structure of a nearby bathroom. The heat generated by the blast also burnt a grary.

The explosion took place in a grary on the back side of one Di th Upadhyai’s home near Murkongselek Railway Station. The early morning explosion obviously created panic among the local residents. However, there were no casualties.

Upadhyai, owner of the home, stated before the police that he heard a mild vibration at around 3.00 am, which was subsequently, followed the blast. While he does not suspect anyone behind the incident, however, the reason or material used in the explosion still remains shrouded in mystery.

“I initially thought it was the sound of thunder, but later discovered fire in the grary following the blast. I immediately called the police, who arrived some moments later,” Upadhyai stated.

It may be pertinent to add here that Upadhyai is an adviser of the Joi Sub-Divisiol Committee of Village Defence Party(VDP) and maintains close links with the police administration in the district.

Meanwhile, senior police officers along with bomb experts visited the spot and interrogated the family members. They collected some samples from the spot for laboratory testing. However, the Sub-Divisiol Police Officer and other senior officials were reluctant to disclose about their findings, but clarified that it was not an incident of bomb blast.

The explosion has created confusion among the local people, who suspect the hand of some insurgent group behind the incident.