A massive explosion occurred at the Mishri Bazaar turn on Meston Road in Kanpur before Diwali, injuring 12 people. The blast was so powerful that it damaged nearby buildings. According to police, the explosions occurred in two scooters, and the cause is being investigated. The injured have been hospitalized, and those with serious injuries have been referred to Lucknow.

A massive explosion took place on Wednesday evening in a stolen scooter parked 100 meters away from Markaz Mosque in Mishri Bazaar on Meston Road. 12 people were injured in the blast. Eight people were taken to Ursula Hospital, of which four suffered 50 percent burns. The explosion was so powerful that the glass windows of several nearby houses broke and cracks appeared on many walls. Two scooters were blown to pieces. The false ceiling of the shop in front was blown away. There was a haze for about five minutes. However, there was no fire. Meanwhile, the CM has sought a report on the matter.

After the incident, many shopkeepers closed their shops and ran away. According to the doctors, looking at the wounds of the injured, it seems that the explosion was caused by some powerful explosive. Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Ashutosh Kumar said that an investigation is being conducted to find out whether it is an accident or someone's mischief or a conspiracy. Along with the police, the bomb disposal squad, intelligence, NIA and ATS have joined the investigation. The police station is 500 meters away from the incident site. A large number of firecrackers have been found in the shop outside where the incident took place and in the nearby shops.

The depth of the conspiracy

One of the scooters damaged at the scene belongs to Brijendra Rastogi, District Vice President of Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal. It was stolen on 31 March 2023 after the Hamraj Complex fire. The police had filed a final report in this case. This has deepened the suspicion of a conspiracy. Cameras are being scanned to find out who brought the scooter there. One scooter belongs to hosiery businessman Ashwani Kumar; he was also injured in the accident. Relatives said that he had gone to buy firecrackers. There are retail shops of firecrackers in the market, on receiving information that big firecrackers were also being sold in them, the police raided them late at night and detained five businessmen.

7:20 pm incident

Abdul's plastic goods shop is just outside the street from the Mishri Bazaar intersection. Around 7:20 p.m., a massive explosion near the parked vehicles shook the entire area. Police from Moolganj arrived within five minutes.

These people were injured

In the incident, 16-year-old Suhana, a resident of Beconganj, 36-year-old Raisuddin, 24-year-old Abdul of Meston Road, and 58-year-old hosiery businessman Ashwani Kumar of Lal Bangla suffered more than 50 percent burns. They have been referred to King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow. 29-year-old Mohammad Mursaleen of Makhania Bazaar, Zubin, a belt shop worker from Mirpur, and Bharat Bhatia were also injured. Both are admitted to Ursula Hospital. Two people were slightly injured and were discharged after treatment. Four more people were found at the scene with very minor injuries. Police Commissioner Raghuveer Lal reached the scene and gathered information. He spoke to the injured and their families at the hospital.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has requested a
report on the incident and ordered action. He will discuss the matter with officials at Chakeri Airport on Thursday while en route to Jhansi. It is believed that major action may be taken against the police officers involved in the illegal firecrackers.

Police officers detain shopkeepers. 

Search operation was conducted at night in Mishri Bazaar.

When the police team conducted a search operation late at night, several shops were found stockpiled with illegal firecrackers. Police recovered the firecrackers and detained five shopkeepers. Following the intensity of the explosion and the severe burns to people in Mishri Bazaar in Moolganj, officials including Police Commissioner Raghuveer Lal, Joint Police Commissioner of Law and Order Ashutosh Kumar, ADCP Dr. Archana Singh, and ADSP LIU Mahesh Kumar arrived.

During the investigation, it was learnt that firecrackers had exploded, but no shopkeeper was ready to divulge any information about it. Due to the crowd of people and the anger of some people, the officials remained quiet at that time, but when the crowd dispersed, the officials launched a search operation late at night. When the shops of Mishri Bazaar were opened and searched, the police were astonished. Illegal storage of firecrackers was found in many shops. After this, the police took five people including Yasir into custody till late at night and took them to the police station. Meanwhile, the search operation continued till late at night.

Search operation was conducted at night in Mishri Bazaar.

When the police team conducted a search operation late at night, several shops were found stockpiled with illegal firecrackers. Police recovered the firecrackers and detained five shopkeepers. Following the intensity of the explosion and the severe burns to people in Mishri Bazaar in Moolganj, officials including Police Commissioner Raghuveer Lal, Joint Police Commissioner of Law and Order Ashutosh Kumar, ADCP Dr. Archana Singh, and ADSP LIU Mahesh Kumar arrived.

During the investigation, it was learnt that firecrackers had exploded, but no shopkeeper was ready to divulge any information about it. Due to the crowd of people and the anger of some people, the officials remained quiet at that time, but when the crowd dispersed, the officials launched a search operation late at night. When the shops of Mishri Bazaar were opened and searched, the police were astonished. Illegal storage of firecrackers was found in many shops. After this, the police took five people including Yasir into custody till late at night and took them to the police station. Meanwhile, the search operation continued till late at night.

Fourth major incident in Kanpur and surrounding districts in a year

Earlier, on October 4th, two students were killed in an explosion outside a coaching center near the Central Jail in Farrukhabad. After investigations, police and forensic experts determined that methane gas in a septic tank caused the accident. Last year, on October 31st, a couple died when a moped exploded in Ganesh Park, Gandhinagar, Kanpur. However, police reported the explosion as a cylinder explosion.

These controversies increased concern

These days, there's heightened sensitivity due to the "I Love Mohammad" campaign and related issues. Amidst this sensitivity, this blast has raised many questions, leading people to speculate about a conspiracy. The biggest question is how this bombing was planned during a festival. The explosion was so powerful that even the false ceiling inside the shop was shattered.

Meston Road is a mixed population area

The city's Meston Road, Parade, and Kulibazar areas have a mixed population. The explosion in Farrukhabad a few days ago and the subsequent explosion in the city have terrified the people preparing for the festival. It should be noted that Meston Road is known for its fireworks; fireworks are available here throughout the year. Fireworks are also booked here for weddings and weddings. Every year, before Diwali, illegal firecrackers are secretly sold in this market, and during raids, illegal firecrackers are also seized.

Earlier, on October 4th, two students were killed in an explosion outside a coaching center near the Central Jail in Farrukhabad. After investigations, police and forensic experts determined that methane gas in a septic tank caused the accident. Last year, on October 31st, a couple died when a moped exploded in Ganesh Park, Gandhinagar, Kanpur. However, police reported the explosion as a cylinder explosion.

Evidence of an explosion has been found from illegally stored firecrackers. They are unlicensed. Firecrackers cannot be stored in residential areas. Strict action will be taken against both those who stored them and those under whose protection they were stored. A search operation will be conducted throughout the area.