Blast in Malda bar

Statesman News Service

MALDA, June 9: A powerful blast rocked a bar-cum-restaurant near Rathbari in English Bazaar town late last night, triggering panic in the area. There was, however, no report of any casualty as the blast occurred around 1.30 a.m. after the bar was closed. Police have not ruled out the possibility of the involvement of militant outfits in the blast. An expert team would probe the nature of the blast, police said. Although there was no casualty, the bar was badly damaged due to the explosion, said Malda SP Mr DK Mondal who rushed to the spot this morning. “The glass doors and windows got shattered in the blast and a part of the wall in the bar-room has come down,” he said. After hearing the loud sound of the blast, people came out of their houses in panic. Eyewitnesses said they saw a temporary glow of fire coming out of the bar after the powerful explosion. Suspecting the involvement of militants in the blast, a police team from Rathbari rushed to the spot immediately after the incident. Later, the Malda SP also inspected the site. The owners of the bar-cum-restaurant and the landlord of the building from where the bar functions, are being thoroughly interrogated by the police. Police, however, have not yet been able to achieve any breakthrough yet. When asked about the nature of the blast, Mr Mondal said: “It could either be accidental or planned. The blast probably occurred due to pressure in the airtight room of the bar where alcohol was kept. Since the investigation is at a preliminary stage, we cannot make a definite comment. We have sought the help of experts to ascertain the cause of the blast.”