Miscreants set fire to two shops of BJP functionaries

Police inquiries revealed that the same men were involved in both the fire incidents, which took place on Sunday morning.

Buvanesh, 33, from Suppathal Lay Out in Rathinapuri, holds the post of general secretary of BJP of Ganapathy area. He is running a textile shop on Dr Radhakrishna Road near Omni bus stand.

Police said, “He has left the shop on Saturday night. On Sunday, at 3:30 pm, public noticed smoke emanating from the shop and informed about it to the police, fire and rescue personnel.” 

However, the fire got doused even before the fire service personnel arrived. A police team led by Coimbatore City Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi, visited the spot and held inquiries.

A CCTV footage showed two men; one wearing a helmet and another covered with a monkey cap, setting fire to the shop by pouring petrol after lifting the shutter. 

“The CCTV footage shows, them setting fire to the shop and fleeing away in a two-wheeler parked at few metres away. Valuables including clothes were burnt in the fire,” police added.

In another incident, the duo had set fire to a welding spares shop owned by the BJP ward treasurer, Mohan, on 100 feet Road in Gandhipuram. “The CCTV footage obtained from the spot revealed that the men set fire to the welding unit,” police said.

Local’s informed police on August 9, a grocery shop owned by Syed Ali in Rathinapuri was set on fire by miscreants. Meanwhile, Coimbatore City Police Commissioner K Periaiah convened an urgent meeting with police officials to discuss the steps to be taken to prevent similar incidents in future and to trace the culprits. With just two more days for Independence Day, the police are likely to increase vigil to avoid any such untoward occurrences.