Clothes washed on Bomb mistaken for stone for 10 years

In Cox’s Bazar’s Ramu upazila, local residents had been using a bomb-like object as a stone for washing clothes for nearly 10 years. The matter came to light recently when suspicion arose over the object’s shape and structure, prompting locals to inform the police. Police later recovered the object and took it into custody.

The incident took place in Ward No. 8 of the Takkhachhali area under Lot Ukhiarghona of Kawarkhop Union in Ramu upazila. Acting on information from local residents, Ramu police reached the spot on Saturday (January 24) afternoon and secured the bomb-like object.

Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Monirul Islam Bhuiyan said the object is initially believed to be an unexploded or inactive bomb dating back to the Second World War.

He said examinations are under way to determine whether the object is functional and whether it contains explosives. The army has been informed and has inspected the site.

According to police sources, the bomb has been kept at a secure location and the entire area is under surveillance to prevent any potential risk.

Local residents said the object was found in a nearby pond about a decade ago. As it was heavy and solid, it was assumed to be an ordinary stone and left on the pond bank. Since then, local men and women had been using it regularly for washing clothes.

Ramu-based history researcher and lawyer Shirupan Barua said the object appears to be a bomb from the Second World War, judging by its shape and structure.

He said Japanese forces were stationed in the region during the Second World War, and various military weapons and bombs were used in the area at that time.

He added that if tests confirm there are no explosives inside, the bomb should be rendered inactive and preserved as a historical relic of the Second World War, as it could be an important part of Ramu’s history. However, if explosives are found, it must be neutralised in the interest of public safety.