Left Front to observe Protest days against train blast

Kolkata, Nov 20 (UNI) West Bengal Left Front Chairman Biman Bose tonight condemned the blast in a North Bengal passenger train and demanded a high level probe to ascertain the bombing, the first of its kind in the state.

He said a two-day protest day would be observed across the state from tomorrow to creat awareness among the people against the nefarious act.

Quoting official report he said at least two people were killed in the blast. However, unofficial sources said so far eight people have died in the blast, he added.

Preliminary report from the site said the blast occured at 1820 hours in which three seats uprooted and the door was blown apart. The bomb could have been planted in the toiled, official sources said.

Meanwhile, a report from Belacoba, the scene of blast, quoting CPI (M) Jalpaiguri district secretary Manik Sanyal saying at least six people were killed in the blast.

Mr Sanyal, who first reached the spot, said the bomb used was a powerful one and suspected to be the handiwork of some terrorist group.

State Backward classes welfare minister Jogesh Burman, who was also on the spot, said so far six people died in the blast and more than 50 injured, 30 of them seriously. Most of the seriously injured were admitted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

Meanwhile, Sealdah bound Darjeeling Mail from New Jalpaiguri scheduled to leave at 2005 hours was yet to start when the report came in.

A red alert sounded all the stations across the state after the blast.

UNI XC PC VD KP2310