Bomb Manufacturing Unit ? - Explosion Rocks Village Near Kanyana, Vittal
Pics: Vaibhav Kanyana 
Daijiworld Media Network—Vittal (RS/CN)

Vittal, Dec 16: The sound of an explosion heard from a rubber plantation in Karopadi village, near Kanyana, has raised suspicions among people in the area since the night of Tuesday December 15. 

Residents as far as five kilometres away claimed to have heard the sound of the explosion and experienced something akin to an earthquake. 

Nine houses in the area were damaged in the incident and Ayishath Rilvana (9) was admitted to the hospital after hearing the explosion.

Most locals and those who visited the spot suspect that a bomb was manufactured here. But the police have not confirmed this.

The place was owned by Mohammed alias Mohammad Kunhi, who started an explosives business with Narendra Patali, a native of Kasargod district. Three months ago they had constructed a shed on the plantation saying that firecrackers will be stored inside it. 

The locals said that Mohammed had told them that he is engaged in the business of firecrackers. They also said that he owned a storeroom in a hilly area in a sparsely-populated area in a village called Guvedapadpu.    

Explosives

The 12 cents of land, where the incident occurred, had five shed-like structures which have all collapsed due to the explosion last night. 

Nearly 500 small bomb-like explosives, 2,000 shaped like footballs, 5,000 in the shape of coconuts, 7 bags filled with cricket ball shaped explosives, 18 iron pipe pieces, 10 bags of gun powder, several bags of potassium and raw materials, were found at the place.  

Assistant superintendent of police Dr Chandragupta and Tahsildar C N Manjunath visited the spot.   

Vittal police are conducting the investigation and said that they are not able to state the reasons for the blast and what exploded last night. 

The owners of the shed and of the stored firecrackers have also not come forward to reveal the truth.