Prima facie, bomb was medium-sized and country-made: NIA?collected evidence.
Kochi: A Special Investigation Team led by Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner Bijo Alexander has been formed to investigate the bomb blast at Thrikkakara, near the Ernakulam district collectorate, late on Tuesday night.
Prima facie, the bomb was medium-sized and country-made. A team of National Investigating Agency also arrived at the spot and collected evidence. Ayyappa devotees were staying in the area.
“Fire powder was filled inside a steel mug with lid. It had a wick attached to it. The culprit must have lighted the wick and left the bomb at the spot,” said Bijo Alexander.
The forensic team is conducting a detailed examination of the remains of the bomb. The police also collected bits of newspapers and notices that were scattered after the blast. In the impact of the blast, a part of the steel mug was thrown to the courtyard of a house in the area.
Local residents confirmed that the blast was heard even a kilometre away. Since the blast occurred near the camp of Ayyappa Seva Sangham, the police suspect it was an attempt to sabotage the religious harmony.
Satheesh Kakkanad, district president of Ayyappa Seva Sangham, who was distributing food to Sabarimala pilgrims when the blast occurred, gave a statement to the police.
“First I thought it was the sound of a tyre-burst. But I saw fire near the bush and I ran to the spot. There were 20 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and seven from Kasargod. I asked them if they burst any firecrackers. Only when I examined the spot I realised it was a bomb blast,” Satheesh told DC.
The SIT has summoned the owners of firecracker units in Ernakulam district to provide details about the quantity of fire powder that they bought, used and distributed in the past few months.
City Police Commissioner K.G. James and Deputy Police Commissioner Mohammed Rafique also met the team on Wednesday morning and briefed it about the investigation.
