Kerala - Kannur   

Two killed in explosion

KANNUR: Two Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists were killed in an explosion at Cheruvancherry under the Kannavam police station limits here on Monday morning.

The dead have been identified as K. Pradeepan (35) and K. Dileepan alias Dilish (35), both RSS local functionaries. The police said the two were suspected to have been killed in an explosion of country-made bombs at 7.30 a.m. The incident occurred near the Athyarakkavu temple near Cheruvancherry. The badly mutilated body of Dileepan was found in a nearby well. His legs were severed in the explosion. The burnt body of Pradeepan was found near the well. The police said the explosion was apparently an accident. Preliminary investigation suggested that the explosion occurred when they were making crude bombs or carrying them. The area was a stronghold of the RSS, the police said. They said that Pradeepan was an accused in a case relating to the attempted murder of Asna at Cheruvancherry in September 2000. Asna, a five-year-old girl then, had lost her leg in a bomb attack. The District Sessions Court has completed its trial and is to pronounce sentence on November 14.

Denying that the explosion occurred while making bombs, Bharatiya Janata Party local leaders said the accident took place when fireworks arranged for use in connection with a festival at the temple went off.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) accused the RSS of using places of worship for making and amassing weapons including bombs. Party district secretary P. Sasi said the bomb blast at Cheruvancherry was the latest example of the efforts of the RSS to collect explosive materials to create trouble in the district.

The police said a probe was on to find out if more people were injured in the blast. A bomb squad and forensic officials visited the spot and collected evidence. Senior police officers, including Inspector-General of Police (Northern Range) V. Shantharam and Superintendent of Police S. Sreejith, were among those who visited the spot.

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