Two youth, including a student, were killed and several others injured in a powerful explosion early Saturday morning in Hatia village under Lavpur police station, Birbhum district. The deceased have been identified as Sheikh Sabir (26) and Sheikh Alamgir (18), the latter reportedly a student. The explosion occurred while bombs were allegedly being tied in the village.
While police have confirmed two fatalities, local sources claim the death toll could be higher. Eyewitnesses allege that several bodies were looted from the site shortly after the blast, hampering an accurate count. Four severely injured individuals were taken to Bolpur Subdivisional Hospital for treatment.
The incident unfolded after a violent clash erupted between two rival groups linked to a counterfeit gold coin racket operating out of the village. The confrontation, which began Friday night, saw multiple crude bombs hurled across village streets and fields. The violence reportedly stems from a turf war over control of the lucrative fake gold coin trade that has plagued the region.
Police sources suggest that the conflict intensified after key figures from the syndicate returned to the village following six months of absence, due to pending criminal records. The explosion is believed to have occurred during bomb-making preparations by one of the groups early on Saturday morning.
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According to local residents, the violence centers around a power struggle between Sheikh Naimuddin, Trinamool’s booth president in Hatia, and his associate Sheikh Mustafir, who are allegedly facing off against Sheikh Monir, a known figure in the counterfeit coin network. Both factions are believed to be competing for dominance in the area, leading to repeated confrontations.
“The entire night bombs kept going off in the village streets. One group tried to enter to reclaim control, while the other resisted fiercely. This is nothing but a power struggle,” said villager Sheikh Nazrul Islam.
District Superintendent of Police Amandeep Singh confirmed the casualties and said, “Two people have died in the explosion. The police have brought the situation under control.” A large police contingent, including a combat unit, was deployed after the local force initially struggled to enter the violence-hit area due to extreme tension. Officers finally gained access around 11 am.
The Hatia village has long been identified as a hub for fake gold coin scams. Authorities have received numerous complaints, prompting the Birbhum police to launch awareness campaigns and issue warnings to the public. Despite such measures, criminal activity continues to flourish.
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This is not the first time the area has witnessed such lawlessness. In March 2024, miscreants linked to the same syndicate attacked a police vehicle in the village, forcing police to fire into the air to disperse the crowd.
Reacting to the latest incident, BJP’s Birbhum district president Dhruv Saha said, “Two factions of Trinamool are locked in a turf war over the fake gold coin business. While officials claim two people died, our sources say the death toll is three. I demand a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).”
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