Panic in Amritsar's Kotla Kazia village after minor’s death in potash blast

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 18

Panic gripped Kotla Kazia village after a 12-year-old boy of the village was killed and two others were injured as the potash, an explosive material, they were grinding blasted here on Sunday evening.

Dhir Singh, sarpanch of the village, said people were enthusiastic as a volleyball tournament was being held on the Government Elementary School ground. Around 20 teams were participating in the tournament.

People were enthusiastic as a volleyball tournament was being held on the Government Elementary School ground. Around 20 teams were participating. It was organised for a noble cause of weaning the youth away from drugs. The entire village was present in the ground and enjoying the match when the blast left everyone confused and in tension. — Dhir Singh, Village Sarpanch

“It was organised for a noble cause of weaning the youth away from drugs. Several youths from the village, who have settled abroad, had encouraged and funded to hold the tournament,” he said. The entire village was present in the ground and enjoying the match when the blast left everyone confused and in tension.

Following the blast, a chaos and confusion prevailed in the village as some people said it was a tyre blast or a cylinder blast. All residents ran here and there to find what actually occurred. When we reached near Skatar Singh’s house, people were rushing the victims to hospital. It was later found that children were grinding potash which led to the blast. A pall of gloom descended on the village.

The victims were grinding potash in the house of Mohit, who was later booked by the police for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, had just come out (of the house) to answer the call of nature. The incident shocked him.

As per the police, the villagers said Mohit had brought the banned explosive material. Rather than using original firecrackers, using potash for that purpose has raised many questions about easy availability of the same. The police were ascertaining the source of potash and who provided the same to the children.

Mohit’s father Sakatar Singh was not present at home. He was on his duty when the incident took place.

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