AYODHYA: In a heart-wrenching sequence of events, the family of Ram Kumar Gupta, who ran a flour mill (atta chakki) from his home in Pagra Bhari village, Ayodhya, has been struck by tragedy for the second time in little over a year.
The latest blast on Thursday claimed the lives of Gupta, his children, and a helper, while leaving the village shaken and authorities scrambling for answers.
A Repeated Tragedy
Last April, a powerful explosion at Gupta’s previous home killed his mother, Shivpata; his wife, Bindu; and a neighbour, 19-year-old Priyanka. Gupta, also known as Pappu, and his three children survived with injuries.
In the months following that horrific incident, Gupta purchased land on the outskirts of the village, constructed a new house, and moved in with his children, hoping for a fresh start.
However, the nightmare returned. On Thursday evening, another massive blast ripped through his new home.
Neighbours rushed to the site and alerted authorities. By the time rescue teams arrived, five people had been pulled out from the debris, including Gupta, his three children, and a helper named Ram Jeeman. Tragically, all were declared dead at a nearby hospital.
On Friday, during continued rescue operations, police recovered the body of a sixth victim — a woman — whose identity is yet to be confirmed.
“During the rescue operation today, we recovered the body of a woman. Her identity is yet to be ascertained,” said Additional Superintendent of Police, Ayodhya, Devesh Chaturvedi.
Authorities suspect that the woman could have been a distant relative who had been staying with Gupta’s family after the death of his wife last year.
Investigations and Possible Cause
Preliminary reports suggest that the explosion appears to have been caused by a cylinder blast, though the exact circumstances are still under investigation.
Police are meticulously collecting information from residents to reconstruct the chain of events that led to this devastating incident.
Sanjeev Singh, Station House Officer of Pura Kalandar Police Station, confirmed that the team is looking into the earlier incident as well to understand any potential connection between the two tragedies.
“We are collecting detailed information about the previous blast and speaking to residents to ascertain what had happened,” he said.
Police teams are also examining whether there were lapses in safety precautions, such as improper storage of gas cylinders or other combustible materials, which could have contributed to the repeated disasters.
Officials are exploring all angles, including accidental causes, negligence, or any foul play, to ensure a thorough probe.
Official Response
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and instructed authorities to speed up investigations.
Rescue teams, forensic experts, and local police continue to work at the site to recover any remaining debris and ascertain the exact cause of the explosions.
This tragic incident raises serious questions about household safety, gas cylinder management, and disaster preparedness, particularly in rural areas where residential structures often double as business establishments.
The fact that the same family suffered a similar fate twice has left the local community in shock and mourning.
Authorities have assured that a full investigation will be conducted, and those responsible for any negligence or lapses in safety will face strict action.
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