Blast during filling gas balloon kills one; Civic volunteer found running illegal business

A tragic blast claimed the life of a villager at the home of a civic volunteer stationed at Saithia police station, triggering unrest among locals. The deceased, Bipadtaran Bagdi, lived in Binse village near Birbhum’s Saithia. News of the incident quickly spread, inciting an agitated crowd that ransacked the volunteer’s residence. The police intervened to control the situation.

According to villagers, the civic volunteer, Durgaprasad Bhattacharya, had recently started an unauthorized gas balloon business, where Bagdi, a neighbor, was assisting in filling balloons. The two were reportedly unqualified and unlicensed for such an operation.

On Sunday afternoon, Bhattacharya summoned Bagdi to his home. During the balloon-filling process, the gas deflation device suddenly burst, resulting in an explosion that destroyed doors and windows. Bagdi was killed instantly in the blast, and local police faced resistance from the crowd as they retrieved his body.

Bagdi’s widow, Namita, has demanded compensation from Bhattacharya, blaming his negligence for the tragic outcome. Birbhum Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Parag Ghosh stated that preliminary reports confirmed the illegal balloon business was underway, and the explosion occurred during Bagdi’s balloon-filling task. Authorities have begun an investigation, and Bhattacharya is expected to face interrogation regarding his role in the incident.