KOZHIKODE: Two CPM men were killed and four others were injured, two of them critically, in a bomb explosion at the CPM-BJP conflict zone of Panoor on Saturday.
They were allegedly manufacturing bombs at the secluded hilly area of Kakkrotukunnu, Chettakandy, under Kolavallur police limits, when the incident happened. The bomb squad recovered five steel bombs from the spot.
The deceased are Kinambil Shyju, 35, and Charuvangalath Subeesh, 32, both locals. The injured were admitted to the cooperative hospital, Thalasserry.
Deputy Superintendent of police (narcotic cell), V.N. Vishwanathan, in charge of ASP, said the men were manufacturing country bombs. Soon after the incident at 12.50 p.m., the area was allegedly cordoned off by a group of people. The sheet on which the bomb-makers sat was set ablaze. The group took the injured to the hospital and the two died on the way.
Police sources said that country bombs and steel bombs were being manufactured in the area which is a CPM stronghold. It is learnt that the mishap occurred while the men were mixing the ingredients of the bomb.
The Kallikandy, Chettakandy areas were under tension following the recent switching over of BJP workers to the CPM. Both the parties are in a no-holds-barred fight to protect their cadre.
The BJP district committee alleged that the bomb manufacturing was done with the knowledge of the CPM leaders and demanded the registration a case against them.
The CPM Panoor area committee said, “a detailed probe is required to find out the truth behind the death of two of our sympathisers. The area has been notorious for RSS mobilising weapons,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a 15-member bomb detection squad has been formed under the leadership of Kannur range DIG, Dinendra Kashyap.
