Explosive Device Found Near School in Palakkad, Injuries Reported

Palakkad (Kerala), Aug 21 (PTI) – On Wednesday, explosives of a dangerous nature were found outside a school compound in Vadakanthara, Palakkad district, as confirmed by the First Information Report (FIR). These explosives were discovered on Wednesday evening when a student inadvertently caused an explosion, leading to minor injuries.

The FIR reveals that Narayanan, a 10-year-old student, stumbled upon the explosives near Vyasa Vidhya Peedom pre-primary school at around 3.45 pm. In a moment of excitement, he threw one of the devices to the ground, triggering a loud explosion that injured both him and an 84-year-old bystander named Leela.

Upon hearing the blast, school authorities and local residents quickly responded to the scene, contacting the police. The police subsequently searched the area and discovered four additional explosives in a bucket. Both injured individuals were promptly taken to the hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition, according to police sources.

The Palakkad North police have initiated a case under several sections, including section 3(a) for causing explosions likely to endanger life and section 4(a) for possessing explosives with the intent to harm life and property, as per the Explosive Substance Act. Additionally, section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, which addresses cruelty to children, has also been invoked in the FIR. The report indicated that the explosives were deliberately placed to threaten human life. A police team led by a DySP-ranked officer is currently conducting the investigation.

The police also mentioned that CCTV footage from the surrounding area has been retrieved, and efforts are underway to identify those responsible for placing the explosives near the school compound. The incident has sparked political reactions, with BJP district leaders alleging a significant conspiracy and demanding a comprehensive investigation. Meanwhile, CPI(M) leaders have pointed out that the school management is associated with the RSS, and volunteer training is conducted in the vicinity. The Congress party has also called for a detailed inquiry into the incident.