Balangir, Jan 13: In a tragic incident, an eight-year-old boy lost the eyesight in one eye after a toy found inside a snack packet allegedly exploded in Patnagarh area of Odisha’s Balangir district.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening under the jurisdiction of Titilagarh police station.

According to reports, the victim, Ankesh Harpal, a Class III student and son of Lab Harpal of Shagadghat village, had purchased a five-rupee ‘Lighthouse’ corn puff packet from a local shop. After consuming the snack, Ankesh reportedly threw the small toy found inside the packet into a fire, following which a sudden explosion occurred.

The blast was so powerful that it hit the child directly in the eye, causing the eyeball to rupture completely. He was immediately rushed to Titilagarh hospital, where doctors confirmed that the eye was permanently damaged and could not be saved.

Following the incident, the child’s parents lodged a written complaint at the Titilagarh police station, alleging that the toy included in the snack packet was extremely hazardous. They demanded an immediate ban on the product and strict action against the manufacturing company.

The family claimed that the ‘Lighthouse’ corn puff packets are manufactured jointly in Medak district of Telangana and the Bargarh–Sambalpur regions of Odisha, and should be withdrawn from the market due to the unsafe toys included with the snack. They also sought compensation for their injured child.

Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and stated that a detailed investigation is currently underway.