Remove arms from Rameswaram: Tiruvadanai Judicial Magistrate

Tiruvadanai Judicial Magistrate, P Balamurugan, who is in charge of Rameswaram, on Wednesday passed the order to remove the explosives which were unearthed on June 25 when a fisherman was digging a pit for the construction of a septic tank. The order came as a big sigh of relief not only for the police, but also for the locals, who used to live in fear of the presence of explosives.

Superintendent of Police, Omprakash Meena, told DT Next that they need suggestions from an explosives expert for its safe transportation. Moreover, a special vehicle is required to transport such explosives, which are likely to be shifted by road to a magazine at Sivagangai, he said. Based on the order, the office of Controller of Explosives, Chennai and a shot-firer will be informed to shift these at the earliest.

The experts would likely reach Anthoniyarpuram on Thursday, Rameswaram Deputy SP, M Mahesh, said. However, sources from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad said they were not aware of any such plan.

The explosives might be stored in a godown at Pulluthu in Madurai, where large quantities of seized explosives are kept undestroyed. Explosives, seized by the CB-CID in 2004, still lie undestroyed here.

Such hazardous material can be kept for a maximum of five years. While transporting, its detonators must be separated to reduce the risk of accidental detonation. Moreover, the godown must have proper ventilation, said sources.