Congress MP Pradip Bhattacharya from West Bengal demands NIA probe into Pingla blast case

NEW DELHI: Congress MP from West Bengal Pradip Bhattacharya today demanded an NIA probe into the May 7 Pingla blast in the eastern state that claimed 12 lives, saying "it was no ordinary explosion" and not a cracker blast as was being claimed.

In his representation to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the Rajya Sabha MP said, "I am sure that it is not fireworks explosive material but something else which can be found out by the central investigation agency. I am sure that if NIA goes on for investigation, some truth will come out."

Twelve persons were charred to death and four others injured in an explosion at an illegal firecracker factory at Pingla in West Midnapore district.

Bhattacharya, the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, said when similar incidents of explosions had taken place in other parts of the state, NIA could come out with the fact that those involved were "terrorists and had international links".

Earlier, the state BJP had also requested the Centre to investigate the matter "apprehending a bigger terror plot". BJP state President Rahul Sinha met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Kolkata last week demanding central investigation into the case.