On Thursday (December 19, 2024) around 11 pm, a non-lethal improvised device exploded in front of a restaurant on KP Kurian Road, about two kilometers from Infopark Police Station in Kakkanad. It was found to be intended to intimidate.
Infopark police reached the spot after the restaurant owner reported it. A bomb detection and disposal team was also deployed shortly. The team found that the circuit in the electronic device was complex, though not fatal.
Infopark police initially denied that there could be an extremist angle in the incident. “Due to ongoing disputes in the area between the landlord, the restaurant owner and the former tenants, it seems that the contract has been made to scare the restaurant owner,” Infopark police source said. The area is full of eateries and gets crowded late at night.
However, the police have not taken the incident lightly as it can easily be turned into an improvised explosive device and the person or persons involved are being searched for. “There is no CCTV camera and whoever was behind it seems to have known and planned it keeping all those factors in mind,” the police said.
The electronic device consisted of a circuit connected with capacitors, diodes, buzzers and pressure devices. It was initially found on a scooter parked near the restaurant. The owner of the scooter put it on a nearby motorcycle and ran away.
“The hotel owner who saw this went and looked at the device where the buzzer could be heard ticking. After that, he immediately alerted us,” said a police source.
The police have registered a case under Section 118 (b) (intentionally spreading rumors or giving false alarm to mislead the police, fire brigade or any other necessary services) of the Kerala Police Act. Fees can be revised later if required.
published – Dec 20, 2024 01:51 pm IST