Two school students injured in blast

Two students were injured when a device they found near their school and were allegedly trying to experiment with exploded at Magura in Odisha's Ganjam district on Saturday, police said. The device was found to be normally used for blasting of stones in quarry, sub divisional police officer (SDPO), Aska, Suryamani Pradhan said.

Investigation is on to ascertain the circumstances that led to the mishap, the SDPO said adding the two students of classes seven and eight have been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here. Ganjam district collector Vijay Amruta Kualange has ordered an inquiry into the incident and police from Aska and an official team from district education office (DEO) rushed to the school for it.

As per the preliminary inquiry the boys had found the device near the school and one of them was experimenting with it when it exploded. District education officer (DEO) Sanatan Panda said the two might have stolen out of the school premises after the mid-day meal when they found the device.

The DEO has sanctioned Rs 5000 to each injured student from the Guru-Sishya Kalyan Fund, a fund created to assist in emergency cases..