Gajanur blast: Police rule out bomb attack, blame firecracker

Chamarajanagara: Erode district police have ruled out the possibility of a crude bomb attack at the residence of a relative of Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar at Gajanur in Tamil Nadu, stating that the explosion was caused by a powerful firecracker.

In a press release, the police said the blast had shattered the windowpanes of the house because of the loud sound and impact of a firecracker. The clarification comes amid suspicions that an explosive device might have been used in the incident.

Thalavady police have detained five people from the locality for questioning. According to preliminary information, the five were reportedly present in the vicinity when the explosion took place. Their statements are being examined as part of the investigation.

Family says the attack was deliberate

The family, however, has strongly rejected the police explanation and maintained that the incident was a deliberate attack using a crude bomb. They have demanded a comprehensive investigation, alleging that describing it as a firecracker explosion could lead to the case being closed prematurely.

Questioning the police version, family members told TV9 that the damage caused to the house could not have resulted from an ordinary firecracker. They pointed out that the doors were damaged, glass panes were completely shattered and a sofa inside the house had caught fire.

“How can a firecracker break the doors of a house? The glass panes were reduced to pieces and even the sofa caught fire. What exploded outside our house was not a firecracker but an explosive device,” they said.

The explosion was reported at approximately 10.22 pm on Monday. The initial suspicion was that the blast might have been caused by firecrackers being burst during Deepavali. However, the intensity of the explosion and the damage to the property raised concerns about the possible use of a crude bomb.

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