Low-intensity blasts were reported in two State-run buses parked on the Vaigai riverbed near the Arapalayam bus stand here on Wednesday night. However, no one was injured in the incident.
Commissioner of Police (Madurai city) Shailesh Kumar Yadav said that timer devices were used to trigger the blasts.
According to police, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation buses were parked on the Southern bank road. The vehicles were bound for Salem and Hosur. Since the departure schedule of the buses from the Arapalayam bus stand was at 11.45 p.m. (Hosur) and 12.30 a.m. (on Thursday), the crew members parked the vehicles on the dead-end of the road to avoid congestion inside the bus stand. The drivers and conductors were sleeping atop the roof of the buses.
Police sources said that the first blast was reported in the Salem-bound bus at 9.05 p.m. The blast took place under a seat next to the rear exit of the Hosur-bound bus. However, there was not much damage to the bus.
Second blast
Even as the crew members got down and were checking what had happened, the second blast occurred under the seat next to the front entrance of the bus. In the impact, the tin sheets on the sides and in front of the seat were ripped apart.
The police collected a few pieces of wires, parts of a blue plastic container, some remnants of explosives, jute threads and parts of timer devices. The personnel also searched the embankment and the riverbed for clues.
Police said that the blasts were similar to four explosions reported in the city in the last few years.
