Kolkata, Aug 24 : Two persons were killed and six others were injured in an explosion at a Trinamool Congress party office in West Bengal's West Midnapore district, police said on Friday.
Police said the explosion took place at a house used as the Trinamool's party office in West Midnapore district's Narayangarh area on Thursday morning when over a dozen party workers were present inside.
The high intensity blast caused the walls of the party offce to partially collapse and cracks appeared in the walls of neighbouring houses as well.
"The explosion killed two persons and injured six others. However, the reason of the blast is yet to be ascertained," an officer from Narayangarh police station said, adding that they have found no proof of crude bombs being stored inside the party office yet.
The local Trinamool Congress leadership confirmed that all those killed or wounded in the incident were there party workers and claimed that the party has appealed to administration to find out and take strong action against those involved in the blast.
"Two of our party activists, Sudipto Ghosh and Bimal Chowdhury, were killed in the blast on Thursday. Six others have been injured, out of whom two have been referred to Kolkata as their condition were critical," Ajit Maity, district president of the state ruling party said.
"We have informed the party high command about the incident and trying to find out who might be responsible for the explosion. There is a chance that miscreants from outside are involved. We have appealed to the administration to catch and punish the offenders as soon as possible," he added.
The incident of explosion at the Trinamool office took place less than a week before the party is going to form the boards in 11 out of 16 gram panchayat seats in the area.
The opposition parties claimed faction fight within the ruling party was responsible for the incident.
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
