Cops recover 350 detonators, other explosives

Birbhum district police recovered explosives including Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (AMFO), 200 pieces gelatin sticks and 350 detonators on Monday night from Salbadra.

This is the biggest seizure of explosive materials since Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning to the district police during a review meeting to recover crude bombs and explosives in the villages. Senior police officers were waiting for the people to come with the explosives at the four-point crossing of Salbadra, a place near Jharkhand border.

Suddenly, the officers saw a motorbike speeding towards the border areas violating traffic signals. Officers followed the bike but were unable to capture the rider and the man riding pillion. The bike rider and his assistant managed to flee the spot. The district police started to raid the area and the adjoining localities soon after the incident. "We suspect that the biker and his assistant are hiding in this area. Our officers will arrest them soon," said a senior cop. It may be mentioned that the police have recently recovered crude bombs from various parts of the district. There are five-six such cases from where police had recovered explosives kept in drums from the villages. "Police have stepped up their efforts to capture illegal arms and ammunition after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's warning. I was present at the District Review Meeting where she had given warning to the police to enhance vigilance and check bomb-manufacturing, particularly in sensitive areas," said a government office who is also a resident of Rampurhat.