Woman injured as cocktails explode in Shariatpur kitchen

A woman was seriously injured after a large number of cocktails stored in a kitchen exploded in Zajira upazila of Shariatpur on Saturday.

The injured, Rokeya Begum, 40, was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment after receiving initial treatment at Zajira Upazila Health Complex.

The incident occurred around noon at the house of Faruk Chhayal in Char Dhopuria Charkandi area of Senarchar Union, police said.

According to police, Rokeya entered the kitchen to cook when the stored cocktails exploded, causing a loud blast. The explosion blew off the kitchen’s tin roof and damaged two nearby houses.

Police said a large number of cocktails had been stored in the kitchen. An investigation is underway to determine how the explosion occurred and who had stored the explosives there.

Zajira Upazila Health Complex physician Tanvir Ahmed said Rokeya had sustained serious injuries from the blast and was referred to Dhaka as her condition was critical.

The incident has caused panic in the area.

Local sources said there had been a long-running dispute over local dominance between Rezaul Shikder, general secretary of Mulna Union BNP, and former Awami League member Tamiz Khan.

On August 10, supporters of the two groups clashed in the same area, during which more than 100 cocktails exploded. At least 10 people were injured and a 70-year-old man, Mannan Sardar, later died from injuries sustained in the blasts.

A case over that incident is pending, local sources said.

Faruk Chhayal, owner of the house where Saturday’s explosion occurred, was reportedly a supporter of Rezaul Shikder.

Rezaul denied that Faruk was directly his supporter, saying he was currently in Dhaka and could not comment on the latest explosion.

Zajira Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saleh Ahmed said police visited the scene after receiving information about the explosion.

“Preliminarily, we learned that a large number of cocktails had been stored there,” he said, adding that necessary legal action would be taken following the investigation.

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