As many as 16 persons suffered injuries when a tractor ran over a gunny bag suspected to be containing “pig explosives” known as “Out vedi” used for scaring away wild boars in farms along the reserve forest boundary.
According to A. Arun, Superintendent of Police, Tirupur District, a gunny bag was off-loaded from a bus that came from Dindigul and was lying along the roadside near the Kozhumam bus stop. Meanwhile, in a bid to park the tractor along the extreme road boundary, the tractor driver is said to have steered the vehicle.
When the rear wheel of the tractor ran over the bag, the pig explosives reportedly exploded. This resulted in damage to the show cases of nearby shops and four vehicles parked near the bus stop. The pellets and stones from the road that flew in different directions left a number of persons injured.
Eyewitness accounts said that more than 25 persons suffered injuries. Police officials said that 16 persons, including children, were treated for injuries. One woman was admitted to Coimbatore Medical College hospital.
DIG of Police - Coimbatore Range Bala Nagadevi and Mr.Arun said that special teams have been formed to nab the culprits.
Mr.Arun said that the police have identified two persons as responsible for the consignment of pig explosives being carelessly left on the roadside.
Police said that though the pig explosives are prohibited items, the farmers were using them by sourcing them from Dindigul and Theni districts to protect the crops in their farms. Vigil is being stepped up.
