Valpoi: A local businessman was detained by Goa police on late Monday night after a massive blast was reported in his cashew farm at Ansolem village.
Naseer Hussain Jamadar was detained by Valpoi police after a massive blast was reported in his privately owned cashew farm at Ansolem village in Bhironda panchayat of Sattari taluka in North Goa on Monday night.
The initial reports claimed that the blast occurred at 10 pm but police stated that it was at 8 pm, when Shigmo Parade with massive crowd participating in it was happening at Valpoi town just four kilometres away from the blast spot.
The explosion was heard even upto the Valpoi town.
Police said that the initial investigations have revealed that the blast was of gelatin sticks which were stored in one of the godown inside the cashew farm.
“A structure which was housing these explosives have completely collapsed. The impact of the blast was such that the houses situated around 2-3 kilometres developed cracks,” police said adding that there was no casualties.
Police immediately detained owner of the cashew farm Naseer Hussain Jamadar for investigation on Monday night. Police said the explosion was heard even up to Valpoi town, which is located around four kilometres from the site of the blast.
Police said they are investigating how such a huge quantity of explosive was procured. Initial reports indicate that gelatin explosives were being used in stone crusher plants located in the surrounding areas, they said.
Police said a thorough inquiry would be conducted on Tuesday. The entire area has been sealed and a forensic team would be called for the investigation, they said.
Local MLA Deviya Rane, in a post on ‘X’, said that an FIR would be filed against the culprits involved in the blast.
“This is to inform the people that we have received reports of a blast at Ansolem in Bhironda Panchayat, no casualties reported at the site,” Rane said.
” An FIR will be filed under the Explosives Substance Act, and a thorough investigation is underway. Stringent action will be taken once the investigation is concluded,” she added.
