Chennai: Miscreants on bikes hurled Molotov cocktails, popularly known as petrol bombs, at the Teynampet Police station during the early hours of Thursday.
The incident lent a tense atmosphere to arterial Anna Salai for the better part of the day. Police were unable to ascertain the identity of the persons behind the attack, in spite of the presence of three CCTV cameras, all placed at the entrance to the police station.
While there was no damage to property or persons in the attack except for a minor fire, questions arise about the time taken for the cops to identify the suspects.
“The footage was not clear enough,” said a police officer. Sources, however said that the cameras were defunct. Police have secured footage from CCTV cameras in nearby buildings.
The incident happened around 4 30 am, when the activity inside the station and outside were minimal. “They came in two scooters and appeared to be in their early 20’s,” said a police officer.
Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan and other senior police officers conducted enquiry at the police station. Police suspect the role of young men from the slum quarters behind the police station. “A few of them were detained in connection with a ruckus in the neighbourhood and let off after enquiries. We suspect they could be behind the attack”, said a police officer.
However, sources in the know rule out the possibility of involvement of persons from the neighbourhood. Police suspect the intended attack to be politically motivated. “Since the Assembly session is underway, political party functionaries or fringe elements might be behind the attack to create a furore”, a senior police officer said.
TeynampetpPolice station is in the heart of the city with several important establishments including the US Consulate and Poes garden within a 2 km radius of the station. Three special teams have been formed to trace the suspects. No suspects were identified as of Thursday evening.
Police released a grab from CCTV of a suspect in connection with the petrol bomb attack on Teynampet police station. Public with any information on the Attack can contact the following phone numbers : —-9840223457.&9786300555.
