Kannur – The ‘Bomb’ politics in Kannur is a never-ending saga that has earned the northern district of Kerala, a scary and fearful image that has become difficult to erase for decades together. However, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan acknowledging the matter and directing for a detailed investigation, police have begun searches across the north Malabar region with the help of locals.
Kannur, historically known for Handloom industry since the 16th century and popularizing martial arts such as ‘Kalari’ has been known for the wrong reasons of political violence and reports of locally made bombs (mostly steel bombs) hidden in abundant places and also near resident areas.
As per police, most of these bombs are made for political parties, mainly CPM, BJP and a section of their cadres who are trained to configure it as per the orders of local leaders.
Incidents of blasts leading to casualties and severe injuries to innocent people have become common in many parts of Kannur. In most cases, police investigations are thwarted midway due to political pressure.
The latest victim of the bomb blast is 80-year-old Velayudhan who died at Kudakkalam near Eranholi in Kannur when he went to collect coconut in his farm. The incident has led to a major political face-off between the CPI(M) and the opposition in the assembly session where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has taken serious note and have ordered for an investigation into the matter.
Seena, a resident staying near the area has spoken to TV9 saying that it has become difficult to travel in certain areas due to the fear of such bombs, she says that people are unwilling to file a complaint as they knew that they will be targeted by the goons of the political party.
“We need to live peacefully. Don’t we have any security for our property and life? Abandoned farms and estates are becoming the storage areas of bombs. If anyone file a complaint, he or she will have to face the wrath where they will be targeted physically. I have decided to speak out on this matter as my children have to live here”, she said.
The CPI(M) leadership has refuted the allegations made by Seena and has stated that Seena and her family are Congress loyalists and they were not residing in the area for the past four years.
Like Seena, there are hundreds of residents who wanted to speak out, but prefer to remain silent as they do not want their family members and dear ones to be the next target.
In the last 3 years, locally made bomb blasts have been reported in 8 locations. Post 1998, ten people have succumbed to injuries in such blasts – either while walking through the area or while preparing the bombs in a hidden location.
Of the 10 people who died, six are CPM activists and 4 are RSS activists.
“We have decided to conduct a major search operation in all those houses that remain vacant, fields and playgrounds that remain vacant. We will continue this exercise on a weekly basis. A 10-member squad has been designated for this purpose”, said Kannur City police commissioner Ajith Kumar to the media.
In the last five years, police have uncovered 252 locally made bombs and in the last six months 15 bombs were found in active state in various parts of the district.
Incidents reported
Oct 1998:Amavasi, a ragpicker from Tamil Nadu, hurt in an accidental blast in Kannur, loses sight in one eye
Sept 27, 2000:Asna loses a leg in a blast while playing on her house’s premises
Feb 26, 2011:5 IUML workers killed while making bombs at Narikkatteri in Kozhikode
April 21, 2016:BJP worker P Dikshith killed in an explosion in Kannur
June 6, 2015:CPM workers Shaiju & Subeesh killed near Panoor in Kannur
April 11, 2023:BJP worker Vishnu hurt in accidental blast in Thalassery
April 5, 2024:CPM worker Sherin killed; 2 others injured in blast at Panoor
June 15, 2024: 80-year-old Velayudhan succumbs to injury in blast at Kudakkalam, Kannur
CPM Kannur district secretary M V Jayarajan demanded a comprehensive probe into the blast. In a statement, he said the explosion had taken place in an area that has a strong presence of the BJP and the Congress. The police have launched a massive search for explosives.
The Congress leaders in Kannur have trained the guns and have lashed out at the CPM leadership in the state.
Incidents of blasts leading to casualties and severe injuries to innocent people have become common in many parts of Kannur. In most cases, police investigations are thwarted midway due to political pressure. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
