Even after a tragic incident in which a young child lost an eye due to the explosion of a freebie toy inside a chips packet, the hazardous product continues to be sold openly in markets across Odisha’s Bolangir district, raising serious concerns over public safety and alleged police inaction.
The incident occurred last Monday at Sagadaghat village under the Titilagarh police limits. An eight-year-old boy, the son of Laba Haripal, was eating spiced puffcorn chips when a toy included inside the packet allegedly came into contact with fire and exploded. The blast caused severe injuries, resulting in permanent damage to the child’s eye.
Following the incident, the child’s parents lodged a complaint with the Titilagarh police, demanding strict action against the chips manufacturing company. However, sources claim that the police only made a station diary entry and have not initiated a detailed investigation or taken legal action so far.
The continued sale of the non-branded chips in local markets has further intensified public outrage. Residents have expressed anger over what they describe as police apathy in a case involving a child’s safety, while the victim’s family has called for immediate intervention and accountability.
Recounting the incident, the boy’s father said his son had bought the chips after returning from tuition and was sitting near a fire to keep warm. While eating, the child found a lighter-like object inside the packet and threw it into the fire, unaware of the danger. The object suddenly exploded, leaving the child with no chance to escape.
