Kochi: Suspicions are strengthening that the massive stockpile of explosives previously seized in Malappuram was intended to sabotage the Magha Mahotsavam held in Thirunavaya. In connection with this, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested the key mastermind, Haris T.A., from Manjeri yesterday. Investigators have obtained several crucial pieces of information from him, bringing the total number of arrests made by the NIA in this case to 10.
The police seized the cache of explosives on February 7, three days after the conclusion of the Magha Mahotsavam. The explosives were stored inside a lorry parked on the premises of Farha Hollow Bricks Company along the Chemmad-Thalappara road. The recovered inventory was large enough to potentially engulf the entire state of Kerala in flames.
The raid led to the recovery of 89,600 detonator sticks and 10,500 non-electric shock tubes. The transport lorry bearing registration number KL 10 BF 8395 was also confiscated. The materials were transported without any license or prior authorization. Police initially detained three individuals who were present in the lorry. Given the gravity of the incident, the NIA subsequently took over the case.
The NIA recently conducted simultaneous widespread raids across 19 locations spanning Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The arrest of key mastermind Haris in Kerala closely followed the apprehension of three other accused individuals from Vijayapura, Karnataka. Investigators discovered that the suspects had smuggled the explosives from Karnataka to Kerala by fabricating documents under the names of shell companies.
The NIA is currently investigating the primary purpose behind bringing this massive cache of explosives into Kerala, as well as tracking its financial sources. The investigation is progressing along the angle that the accused intended to trigger explosions during the Magha Mahotsavam to spark massive communal riots. Further evidence regarding this is expected to emerge in the coming days.
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