Two minors injured in explosion in a Mangan canteen

MANGAN, 10 May: In an explosion that rang across Mangan last night around 9:15 pm, two minor children were injured. The blast occurred in canteen being operated from a private building at Upper Zimchung block, near the North Sikkim Academy here.
Nong Ongmu Lepcha, who runs the canteen, was away at the time of the blast while her brother who owns the building and his family were sleeping in their ekra house next to the canteen. The two children injured in the blast are Zarong Lepcha [13] and Tarong Lepcha [10], both students at NSA and who were under the care of Nong Ongmu. The children have sustained injuries on their faces and were taken to the district hospital by social worker, Padamshree Keepu Lepcha, who had also provided first aid to the kids.
A team of experts comprising of the Bomb Disposal Squad and Explosive Vapour Detector [Sikkim Police, Special Branch, Gangtok] reached the spot today to investigate the cause of the blast. During their investigation, no explosive materials were found and it is suspected that the blast could have been due to some “accumulation of incendiary gases” in the canteen’s kitchen. This, however, awaits confirmation.
While speaking to NOW!, Sr SP North, BK Tamang said, “No explosive material was found and we are yet to determine the exact cause of the explosion. The case is under investigation”.