Explosives, detonators seized in Ramnad, 7 arrested

Besides the explosives, the police personnel also detected a total of 5,600 detonators packed in boxes inside the gunny bag containing the explosives. 

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the accused were attempting to smuggle the explosives to Sri Lanka via sea route, Superintendent of Police, Omprakash Meena, said on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip off, the police personnel reached a shore near Dhanuskodi and foiled the smuggling bid. The six arrested men were identified as R Pachamal alias Nagesh (37) of Rameswaram, S Supparai alias Subramani (45) of Natarajapuram, M Mohammed Mushamin (36) of Rameswaram, A Kani alias Nambu Selvam (43) of Natarajapuram, S Ravi (37) of Thangachimadam and M Mahaneethi (23) of Rameswaram. 

Further investigations revealed that Vasanth, who managed to establish contacts with Pachamal, one of the detainees from Sri Lanka, sought his help to buy the detonators. Subsequently, Pachamal approached Supparai and gave him Rs 1.10 lakh to buy the explosive material. 

Thereafter, N Meeran Kani (48) of Devipattinam, who is absconding, supplied the detonators. When the police team zeroed in, Poonkothai, wife of Pachamal, handed over the detonators to Mahaneethi to hide it. However, Pachamal and Supparai, were nabbed. After they confessed to their crime, four of their accomplices were also arrested.

The detonators were found hidden under acacia bushes at Ramakrishnapuram colony. The seized ones would be produced before the court for further course of action, the SP said.