2 CID officers killed while defusing bombs

Malda(WB), May 2: Two CID personnel were killed while defusing bombs in a village near Bangladesh border in the district today, even as four persons were killed and four others were injured while making the bombs ahead of the last phase of polling on May 5 in the state.

Vishuddhananda Mishra and Subrata Chowdhury died while they were being rushed to Kolkata for further treatment after being seriously injured when two crude bombs went off as the CID bomb squad officials were trying to defuse them, senior police officers said.

Earlier in the day, an explosion occurred when bombs were being made in the house of one Giasu Sheikh in Jaunpur village under Baishnab Nagar Police Station at about 1 AM, Superintendent of Police Syed Waquar Raza said. One person died on the spot and three others succumbed to their injuries in Malda Medical College and Hospital.

The deceased were identified as Kalam Sheikh (35), Simu Sheikh (28), Surup Sheikh (35) and Alam Sheikh (30).

Three persons were admitted in hospital, said the SP who himself visited the spot, adding local rowdies were involved in the incident and Giasu has been absconding.

Soon after the SP left the spot, two more bombs were recovered from the village and the CID bomb disposal squad was alerted to difuse them.

A senior police officer said the CID officials took the bombs to a desolate spot near the village to defuse them and in the process, suddenly the bombs went off, seriously injuring three of officials - Vishuddhananda Mishra, Subrata Chowdhury and Maniruzzaman.

All three were rushed to Malda Medical College and Hospital and were later on referred to Kolkata for further treatment. Both Mishra and Chowdhury succumbed to their injuries when the ambulance ferrying them to Kolkata reached Farakka, the officer said.

Incidents of post-poll violence have been reported from various parts of the state. Polling was held in the district on April 17 in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls.

PTI