Country bomb explodes near Madurai rly track, none hurt

A country bomb explosion on Saturday triggered panic among the residents of Mahalakshmipuram in Madurai. However, no casualty has been reported.

According to the locals, a loud thud was heard around 9.15 am, following which, a cloud of smoke was seen at the site. The explosion, which took place near a railway track, caused slight damage to a concrete wall adjacent to the track, said sources. The track was being re-laid to resume train services between Madurai and Bodi.

In a swift response, the bomb detection and disposal squad personnel led by Inspector R Gunasekar arrived around 9.30 am as per the directions of Madurai City Police Commissioner S Davidson Devasirvatham. The six-member team aided by a dog squad inspected the site and conducted search operations in the vicinity.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the explosion occurred immediately after Muthu (70) dumped garbage. During the inspection, the team recovered around 30 bearing balls, 10 screws, blades, tinsel paper and a bundle of thread at a distance of about 10 yards from the track. According to the bomb squad, the materials were potentially dangerous even though they were low intensity explosives.

The inspection continued till 12.30 pm and included searches in the surrounding areas and houses within the distance of 300 metres, said sources.

South Zone Inspector General of Police KP Shanmuga Rajeswaran and officers attached to the Subramaniyapuram police station also inspected the spot. The police have secured Muthu for interrogation since it was suspected that his grandson Pravin had hidden the bomb in the garbage.

Police sources said that Pravin was an accused in a robbery case reported in 2017 and that he used to stay with his grandfather. Police have filed a case under the Explosive Substances Act and launched a search to nab Pravin, who is absconding, they added.