lying unattended, dynamite sticks planted by a road construction company in Simdega’s Tholkobera exploded on Sunday, grievously injuring two children who were playing nearby. Shoshan and Niral, the injured children aged between eight to ten years, were caught in the blasts meant to clear boulders in the way of a culvert being constructed on a road to Dom Toli village in Kolebira Block in Simdega.
The almost complete road was being built by Ahmedabad-based firm, R Agarwal Construction, under the supervision of Road Division, Simdega. The same route was taken by Rajeev Ranjan Singh, Superintendent of Police, Simdega and his Quick Response Team on Saturday during their rounds.
Shoshan suffered severe injuries on his forehead and both eyes and was rushed to Bhagwan Mahavir Medica Hospital in Ranchi for better treatment. His friend Niral is being treated for injuries on his legs in a local hospital in Simdega.
According to doctors, Shoshan lost both his eyes from the flying debris in the blast. Pieces of rocks that were sent flying from the blasts landed half a kilometre away from the site of explosion, sources said, and were drenched in blood to the extent that they looked like red mud bricks.
“The injured child was rushed to Ranchi with his mother and a doctor for advanced medical aid within 30 minutes. We hope he comes back recovers from his injuries,” said Vijoy Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Simdega.
The company had blasted boulders on Saturday too in the presence of professional experts, with proper authorisation, assured the Simdega DC. They had set up dynamite sticks and wired them to detonators for their next blasting, but no one were present at the site to prevent unauthorised entries or caution others about the explosives as work was closed due to a Sunday.
“A First Information Report has been registered in Simdega police station, charging the company of negligence. The firm will be black-listed if they are found guilty,” stated Singh.
He further added, “According to what we have come to know, the child’s father passed away some time ago and his mother is the lone breadearner in the family. We gave sent food grains to their house and have provided some monetary aid which will help cover the immediate medical expenses. Further treatment costs will be borne by district administration and the construction company.”
Simdega -1 : Injured child being brought to a local hospital in Simdega for treatment on Sunday. . PNS