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Saturday, Dec 29, 2007
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Kerala

Police crackdown on misuse of explosives

Use of illegal explosives is on
the rise in the district, writes
Anand Haridas

The police have intensified the drive against illegal use of explosives after the incident where country bombs were thrown against a group of fishermen at Munambam a couple of days back.

Fishermen, who came from Malappuram in five boats, entered into a skirmish with four local youths on Christmas day evening. The latter threw locally-made explosives at visitors, killing one and injuring three others.

All the accused in this case are absconding. While refusing to buy media reports of increase in use of illegal explosives with respect to this incident, the police are cracking down on misuse of explosive licences.

“There is no such widespread misuse of explosives. No country bombs were used in this incident. They were crackers that were made locally,” said Vinson M. Paul, Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam Range. Munambam area was a hotspot in police listings for high rate of criminal activities. “Earlier, the area had much goonda activities. But with the top brass of criminals either behind bars or in hiding, the situation is under control.

Incidents like the recent one are caused by the second-level goondas, which is very sporadic,” said M. Padmanabhan, Superintendent of Police, Ernakulam Rural.

The police drive also comes in the light of orders to shut down granite quarries in the district, where explosives were used extensively.

“Arrests were made from Angamaly the other day for using explosives without permits,” Mr. Padmanabhan said.

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