Overview
- Police in Jorhat say a powerful explosion at a rented room used for scrap on Saturday killed scrap collector Noor Mohammad, 45, and eight-year-old Mohammad Iqbal while injuring two others.
- Officers ruled out an LPG cylinder blast after on-site checks and sent all victims to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared two dead on arrival.
- Forensic teams examined the scene, specialist squads collected samples, and six people were detained for questioning as investigators study stored scrap for hazardous items.
- Jorhat’s SSP said a working theory is that a cylinder-like object, possibly similar to a fire extinguisher, detonated while being struck with a hammer during dismantling.
- Residents reported a deafening blast and broken windows, and with state elections nearing, police moved to calm fears as they continue to verify the cause and consider safety risks from home-based scrap processing.