The National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved a significant breakthrough in the Bhupatinagar blast case, arresting two key conspirators despite facing opposition from a disorderly crowd in West Bengal's East Medinipore district.
The arrests of Balai Charan Maity and Manobrata Jana came after extensive searches at five locations, including Jana's residence. However, the operation was marred by a confrontation with local residents, resulting in injuries to an NIA officer and damage to an official vehicle.
Manobrata Jana and Balai Charan Maity were apprehended for their involvement in conspiring to manufacture and detonate crude bombs, leading to the December 2022 explosion in Bhupatinagar that claimed three lives.
The incident occurred in the house of Rajkumar Manna, where Manna, Biswajit Gayen, and Buddhadeb Manna lost their lives due to the blast. Initially, the state police filed an FIR without invoking provisions of the Explosive Substances Act, prompting a petition before the Calcutta High Court to transfer the case to the NIA.
Following a court order, the NIA took over the investigation on June 4, 2023, and re-registered the case under relevant sections of the law, including the Explosive Substances Act.
During their probe, the agency uncovered the involvement of several other individuals, including Jana and Maity, in the conspiracy to manufacture crude bombs.
The arrests were made based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, culminating in the successful operation despite the opposition encountered during the raids.
Despite facing resistance, the NIA remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring that those responsible for perpetrating acts of terror are brought to justice.
The arrested individuals will be produced before the Special NIA Court in Kolkata as per legal procedures, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Bhupatinagar blast case.
Follow us
