One killed, 3 injured in blast while making bomb in Panur
Kannur: A 35-year-old man was killed and three others were seriously injured when a bomb exploded while making in Panur, Kannur on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Kattinatavida Sherrill. The condition of his friends Vinish and Vinod remains critical. Another injured Ashwanath has also been admitted to the hospital. It is said that he is a CPM supporter.
The blast occurred around 1.30 am on the terrace of an under-construction building near the house of Vinesh, a native of Kaivelikkal Mulliyathode. Vinish is the son of local CPM leader Nanu.
According to the FIR lodged by the Panur police, the blast occurred while making explosives. Vinesh’s palm was broken in the explosion, while Sheryl’s face, chest and stomach were severely burnt.
Police officials who reached the spot after being informed about the blast by local residents took the injured to Panur Taluk Hospital. Later, he was shifted to a private hospital in Kannur and then to Kozhikode. However, Sheryl’s death was confirmed at 12.30 pm.
“The police took all four people to the hospital. Sheryl died of her injuries, while Vinish, Vinod and Ashwanth were admitted to a private hospital in Kozhikode. The bomb squad searched the blast site but we are not aware of further details. Investigations are being conducted to find out if more people were linked to the blast,” Panur police said. Several cases are pending against the blast victims at Panur police station. There is unconfirmed information that about 10 people were present at the spot at the time of the blast.
However, CPM says that party workers were not involved in the blast. “Vineesh and Sheryl, who were injured in the blast, are accused in a case of attacking CPM workers. He was dismissed from the party only after that incident. However, the opposition parties are deliberately propagating that those injured in the blast are CPM workers. They are trying to mislead the public,” said CPM state secretary M V Govindan.
The incident is a blow to the UDF which has been continuously trying to make political violence by CPM the main talking point during the elections.
KK Shailaja’s candidature in Vadakara has so far helped the CPM avoid direct attacks. But it seems the Panur eruption has changed everything.
BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said that the bomb blasts were part of CPM’s attempt to jeopardize the elections in the state. “The CPM is indulging in terrorist activities because it fears that it may not win the elections,” he said.
K Sudhakaran says Panoor blast needs comprehensive investigation
UDF is raising this issue vigorously. It will take out a peace rally in Panur on Saturday and Congress candidate from Vadakara Shafi Parambil will attend it.
K Sudhakaran, UDF candidate in Kannur Lok Sabha constituency, said there was a need for a comprehensive investigation into the blast. “Since this incident is happening just before the elections, we strongly believe that there is a political motive behind the bomb making. A complaint will be filed with the Election Commission demanding a thorough investigation into the blast.
BJP leader Prakash Javadekar alleged that one person injured in the blast was a CPM worker associated with Vadakara LDF candidate KK Shailaja. “These bomb blasts are part of the CPM’s attempt to jeopardize the election process in the state. CPM is indulging in terrorist activities because it fears that they will not be able to win the elections”, he said. “The bombs that exploded in Kannur were not firecrackers used in temples or any festival. They were bombs used for terrorist activities,” he said while speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.
Meanwhile, UDF leaders who visited the blast site alleged that the police ignored the Special Branch report that bomb-making work was going on in the area and that the police were trying to destroy evidence. However, Shailaja denied any connection with Vinish and said, “My party and I have no connection with the injured or the deceased in the Panoor blast. As a politician, I participate in many weddings and visit many places. Some people can take photos with me, it does not mean that I have any kind of relationship with them.
