Patna, Jan 22 (IANS) A powerful explosion occurred in Siwan district on Thursday, shortly after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrived in the district, as part of his ongoing ‘Samriddhi Yatra (Journey of Prosperity)’.

According to an official, the blast took place in Badram village, under the jurisdiction of Hussainganj police station.

The SHO of the Hussainganj police station confirmed the incident and said that the blast occurred around 11.30 am.

Preliminary investigation suggests the incident may have been caused by firecrackers, and one youth, named Mohammad Murtaza, was killed in this explosion.

Local residents alleged that firecracker materials were being illegally manufactured in the village, and the explosion occurred suddenly.

The blast was so powerful that its sound was heard across a wide area, causing panic among residents.

Nearby houses also sustained damage, locals claimed.

After receiving information, the Hussainganj police reached the spot, cordoned off the area, and launched an investigation.

Police teams are clearing debris and trying to ascertain the nature of the materials involved and whether more people were present at the site. A forensic team has also been informed.

With the Chief Minister’s program underway in Siwan, the incident has increased security and administrative concerns.

Police officials said the case is being probed from multiple angles, including the possibility of illegal manufacturing of explosive materials.

The body of the deceased is being sent for post-mortem examination, and further details are awaited.

Nitish Kumar, on the sixth day of his ‘Samriddhi Yatra’, reached Siwan district, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 71 projects.

Kumar visited the Government Medical College in Mairwa, Siwan. There, he inaugurated the facilities in the newly-constructed building.

Following this, at the program venue, the Chief Minister inspected the stalls set up by various departments and distributed checks to beneficiaries of the state government’s development schemes.

During this event, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Water Resource Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Health Minister Mangal Pandey, Cabinet Minister Pramod Kumar, Siwan MP Vijayalakshmi Devi, MP, and Maharajganj MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal, along with numerous state government officials and other dignitaries, were present.

–IANS

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