Hooghly, 21 May (H.S.): Panic spread in Goghat after police recovered crude cannon-like weapons and sacks filled with explosive materials from bushes near the residence of a local Trinamool Congress leader.

The incident took place in Jharia area under Paschimpara panchayat in Goghat. According to police sources, Goghat police recovered three crude hand cannons from bushes located around 500 metres away from the house of Farid Khan, the Karmadhyaksha of Goghat-II Panchayat Samiti and president of the Paschimpara regional TMC unit.

Police and central forces later dug up the nearby ground and recovered sacks allegedly filled with gunpowder or explosive materials. The recovered items were seized from the spot.

News of the recovery triggered tension in the area, with a large number of local residents gathering near the site. The incident has created fear among villagers.

Local BJP workers alleged that the weapons had been stockpiled by the TMC to create terror in the area if election results had gone against them. BJP supporters also accused Farid Khan and his brother of allegedly running a reign of terror and extortion in the area for the past 15 years.

The Trinamool Congress, however, has so far remained silent on the allegations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey