770-kg explosives found at residences of RSS leader in Kerala ahead of LS polls
Kannur: In a significant operation, the Kerala Police have uncovered a substantial cache of 770 kg explosives from the residences of a local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader and his relative in Poyiloor, Kannur district.
The explosives were discovered at the homes of Vadakayil Pramod, a local RSS leader, and his relative Vadakayil Shanta. Pramod, who is currently absconding, is believed to be connected to the seized materials.
The operation was led by Kolavalloor Police Inspector Sumeet Kumar and Sub-Inspector Sobin, initiated based on confidential information received by the police. The significant seizure has prompted the police to launch legal proceedings, with two cases registered in connection with the incident.
"Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosives were intended for illegal distribution," Kolavalloor Police was quoted as saying to Maktoob. "Efforts are being intensified to ensure the safety and security of the region amidst these concerning developments."
However, speaking to Vartha Bharati over a phone call, Kolavalloor SHO stated that while the reports of the recovery were true, he added that the explosives were meant to be used for firecrackers during the Ugadi festival. He also added that Pramod was arrested.
The SHO also confirmed that Pramod was linked to RSS and was one of their local leaders.
The discovery of such a substantial quantity of explosives had sparked alarm among locals, especially as the Lok Sabha elections draw near.
Last year, another incident involving RSS-affiliated individuals making bombs resulted in severe injuries. A youth named Vishnu (20), associated with the RSS, suffered grave injuries after an explosion occurred during bomb-making near Eranjolipalam in Kannur. Vishnu's hands were severely injured in the blast, which occurred while he was making a bomb in a field near his residence.
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Odisha: Normalcy returns to violence-hit Malkangiri; internet services fully restored
Malkangiri (PTI): Normalcy returned to Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Monday, nearly a week after around 200 villages were damaged in violent clashes in a village, with the district administration fully restoring internet services, a senior official said.
Additional District Magistrate Bedabar Pradhan said internet services, suspended across the district on December 8 to curb the spread of rumours and misinformation following the clashes, were restored after the situation improved.
The suspension had been extended in phases till 12 noon on Monday.
The administration also withdrew prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita within a 10-km radius of MV-26 village, where arson incidents were reported on December 7 and December 8.
Though the violence was confined to two villages, tension had gripped the entire district, as the incident took the form of a clash between local tribals and Bengali settlers following the recovery of a headless body of a woman on December 4, officials said.
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The violence broke out after residents of Rakhelguda village allegedly set ablaze several houses belonging to Bengali residents, forcing hundreds to flee. The headless body of Lake Podiami (51), a woman from the Koya tribe, was recovered from the banks of the Poteru river on December 4, while her head was found six days later at a location about 15 km away.
Officials said the district administration held several rounds of discussions with representatives of the tribal and Bengali communities, following which both sides agreed to maintain peace.
Relief and rehabilitation work has since been launched at MV-26 village, with preliminary assessment pegging property damage at around Rs 3.8 crore.
A two-member ministerial team headed by Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo visited the affected village, interacted with officials and locals, and submitted a report to the chief minister.
So far, 18 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, the officials said, adding that despite the withdrawal of prohibitory orders and restoration of internet services, security forces, including BSF and CRPF personnel, continue to be deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
On Sunday, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi visited MV-26 and neighbouring Rakhelguda villages, and held discussions with members of both communities as part of efforts to rebuild confidence and restore peace.
More than two lakh Bengali-speaking Bangladeshis were rehabilitated by the Centre in Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts in 1968, and they currently reside in 124 villages of Malkangiri.
