A non-lethal improvised device purportedly meant to create a scare was found planted in front of a restaurant along the K.P. Kurian Road hardly two km away from the Infopark police station in Kakkanad on Thursday (December 19, 2024) around 11 p.m.
The Infopark police rushed to the spot after being alerted by the restaurant owner. Before long, the bomb detection and disposal squad were also roped in. The squad found the circuit in the electronic device to be complex albeit non-lethal.
The Infopark police have prima facie ruled out any extremist angle to the incident. “It seems a contract work to scare the restaurant operator as part of an ongoing feud in the area between the landowners, restaurant operators and those who had previously run the place on lease,” said the Infopark police sources. The area is packed with eateries and remains crowded even late into night.
However, the police have not taken the incident lightly considering that it could have been very easily upgraded into an improvised explosive device and are on the lookout for the person or persons involved. “The place has no CCTV cameras and whoever was behind it seems to know it and planned it taking into account all those factors,” said the police.
The electronic device had a circuit with a capacitor, diode, buzzer and a pressure device attached to it. It was originally found placed on a scooter parked near the restaurant. The owner of the scooter placed it on a nearby motorcycle and rode away.
“The hotel owner who saw it went and had a look at the device by which time a buzzer could be heard ticking. Following this, he immediately alerted us,” said the police sources.
The police have registered a case under the Kerala Police Act Section 118(b) (knowingly spreading rumours or giving false alarm to mislead the police, fire brigade or any other essential service). The charges may be amended later on if found necessary.
Published – December 20, 2024 01:51 pm IST
