Explosives seized in Idukki: Three more people arrested

IDUKKI: The police have arrested three more people in connection with the illegal storage of explosives. The arrested people are Upputhara natives Joseph, Royce and Pooppara native Biju. The arrests followed the questioning of Eerattupetta native Shibili, who had brought explosives into Idukki without proper documentation, and Muhammad Fasil, who had supplied the explosives to him.

Joseph and Royce had purchased 210 detonators and gelatin sticks. 98 detonators and 46 gelatin sticks were found near Biju's house. During a vehicle inspection by Vandanmedu police, 300 detonators and 200 gelatin sticks were discovered in Shibili's jeep. In a subsequent search conducted at a warehouse in Nadackalin Erattupetta, a large stockpile was seized, including 8,701 detonators and 2,604 gelatin sticks.

The police believe that the explosives were intended for illegal quarries in Idukki, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts. The police conducted widespread inspections across the district as part of Operation D Hunt. Fourteen cases have been registered. The inspections were mainly focused around lodges and layams with a large number of migrant workers.