Businessman detained after explosion at Goa cashew plantation; forensic team arrives at scene

Following a significant explosion at his cashew orchard in a hamlet in the North Goa region, police on Tuesday morning detained a local businessman, according to an official. Forensic specialists have begun an inquiry.

After Monday night’s tragedy in Ansolem village, the whole region was cordoned off.

According to him, forensic specialists and explosives specialists showed up at the location early on Tuesday.

According to the preliminary inquiry, on Monday night at around eight o’clock in the evening, gelatin sticks that were kept in one of the godowns at the private cashew plantation burst.

No one was hurt, but the explosion caused many homes around the farm to fracture, and the building housing the explosives fell, according to a police officer.

Four kilometers away from the detonation location, in Valpoi town, was even aware of the explosion.

He added that at the time of the event, a sizable crowd was taking part in the Shim Parade in Valpoi town.

Following the explosion at his cashew plantation in Ansolem village, Bhironda panchayat of Sattari taluka in North Goa, Naseer Hussain Jamadar was taken into custody by the Valpoi police on Monday night, according to the official.

According to him, the accused has been charged under the Explosive Substances Act, sections 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substances), 427 (mischief causing loss or damage to a property), and 286 (negligent act with respect to explosive substance so as to endanger human life) of the Indian Penal Code.

“The building that held the bombs entirely collapsed.

Houses two to three kilometers distant had fractures due to the blast’s effect, the officer said, adding that no one was hurt.

According to the authorities, they are looking into how such a large amount of explosives were obtained.

According to a top police officer, nearby stone crushing companies were using gelatin explosives.

Local MLA Deviya Rane said in a post on X on Monday that they had heard of an explosion at Ansolem in Bhironda Panchayat, but that there were no injuries reported.

She said that a comprehensive investigation is under progress and that when it is finished, strict measures would be implemented.