Five police personnel injured in blast at Challapalli station

In a freak accident, five police personnel, including a Sub-Inspector (SI), suffered injuries in a blast that occurred at Challapalli police station of Avanigadda police sub-division in Krishna district on Tuesday.

Challapalli station Sub-Inspector Durga Anjaneyulu, court cases monitoring constable Abdullah, head constable Teja, police driver Nagaraju, and constable Parvathi suffered injuries in the blast.

The blast reportedly occurred when the seized firecrackers, stored in a room on the police station premises, exploded while the police personnel were removing the stock. The impact of the blast was so high that some furniture in the police station, as well as windows and roof of the building, were partially damaged. A police vehicle parked in front of the station was also badly damaged.

Police personnel helping a constable injured in the blast to walk at Challapalli police station in Krishna district on Tuesday.
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“Of the five police personnel, three suffered critical injuries and are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Guntur district,” said Eluru Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) G.V.G. Ashok Kumar.

“The crackers were seized during a drive and were kept in a room on the police station premises,” Krishna district Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Vidyasagar Naidu the SP told The Hindu.

Home Minister inquires

Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and Krishna district in-charge Minister Vasamsetti Gangadhar inquired with the officers about the incident. The Home Minister directed the police officers to provide better treatment to the injured persons.

“The condition of the injured police personnel is said to be stable,” said Minister Vasamsetti Subash, who called on the victims at the hospital, along with Mr. Vidyasagar Naidu.

Krishna district Collector D.K. Balaji said that all the five officers injured in the blast were rushed to different hospitals, and their condition is out of danger.

“The locals and the shop owners rushed to the spot and helped the police in shifting the injured officers to the hospital,” said Krishna district Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) V.V. Naidu, who visited the blast spot.