Cops failed to dig deep, avert Salboni blast

The policemen had dug up the spot. At a depth of six inches, they found two iron rods planted vertically. They looked no more. If they did, they would have found the improvised explosive device IED buried right beneath.

8220;They did it to confuse the police,8221; an officer who has been showcaused, reportedly said. 8220; The Maoists probably completed the electric circuit of the IED, ready for explosion, on Saturday night. Had it been a jungle road, the police might have been more vigilant.8221;

Rajesh Singh, SP, West Midnapore, said there were two iron rods. 8220;I am not an expert. The picture will be clearer after the investigation by the experts.8221;

As the CID took up the blast investigation on Thursday, three more persons were arrested on Thursday from various villages of Binpur in West Midnapore.

The arrested people were Bhagabat Hansda, a panchayat member of Jharkand Party, Sunil Hansda and Sunil Mandi from Binpur.

Singh said two foreign-made pistols were recovered from Hansda and Mandi. The blast, he said, was carried out by the Lalgarh Squad of Maoists and Sasadhar Mahato is the leader of the group.

Police continued the search operations in various villages at Lalgarh and Binpur to trace the suspected Maoists.

Jharkhand Party Naren MLA Chunibala Hansda alleged that the police have been harassing the tribals, suspecting their involvement with the Maoists. Their villages were being raided at night.

On Thursday, hundreds of villagers held a road blockade at Lalgarh protesting against the police action of the police.

Villagers also claimed that police had misbehaved with the women during raids.

Also, seven police officers got the showcause notice, which asked them to reply within five weeks.