An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the Saranda forest area of West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, killing two villagers and creating panic among the residents of the area. This explosion raised new concerns about the ongoing threat of Maoist-planted explosives in the area.
The accident occurred in a dense forest region near Tirilposi village within the limits of the Jeraikela police station on the evening of Tuesday. The local police authorities speculate that the IED had been placed there by Maoist rebels in the past, who have been known to work in the Saranda forest. The bomb was said to have exploded as the two villagers stumbled over it as they entered the forest.
The dead are known as Jai Singh Cheruwa (35) and Salai Cheruwa (30), who lived in the village of Tirilposi. It was reported that the explosion had left them badly injured, especially in the lower parts of their bodies. After the explosion, rescue operations could not be done immediately due to the remoteness of the forest area as well as the danger of further concealed explosives in the area.
Authorities said that the evacuation was delayed by the darkness and security issues. The wounded men were left in the forest for a good few hours without medical care. When security officers and the local police arrived on the scene the next day, both of the victims had died due to the injuries sustained. Initial reports indicate that the absence of medical care at the right time greatly contributed to their deaths.
The tragic event has left fear in the hearts of people in the village who use the forest as a source of their daily livelihood activities, like getting firewood and forest produce. People were outraged and worried about the fact that IEDs remained in place in the places of civilian activity, and raised the question about the effectiveness of emergency response processes in the areas with a high risk of them.
The security guards have also engaged in more intensive combing activities in the region to uncover and neutralize more explosives. According to police officials, a probe is underway, and they are trying to determine the people who fictitiously planted the device. The government has also been guaranteeing that the proper measures will be implemented to boost security and avoid any future occurrence of such an incident.
Saranda forest has been regarded as a Maoist region since time immemorial, where IEDs are frequently used to attack security forces during anti-insurgency missions. But on many occasions, such explosives can fall into the wrong hands of civilians.
The district administration will be expected to compensate the families of the deceased according to the government norms. In the meantime, the incident reminds me of the constant danger to people in insurgency-afflicted regions.
