At least 2 kg of a powder suspected to be an explosive material was seized from the house of ‘Bomb’ Ravi in West Mambalam here on Tuesday, police sources said.
A special team of the Ashok Nagar police searched the house where an explosion took place on Monday evening that left Ravi and his wife Rathna critically injured. About seven others, mostly children, also suffered minor burns.
Besides the powder that has been sent for forensic analysis, police also found one dummy weapon that resembled the AK-47 assault rifle. “Ravi was staying in the rented house for six years. It appears that he was manufacturing fire crackers used as pyrotechnics in movies. The powder suspected to be explosive in nature has been taken by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad for analysis,” a senior police official said.
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The Ashok Nagar police have registered a case under the provisions of the Explosive Substances Act. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) M. Shakeel Akhter said he held a meeting with manufacturers of fire crackers used as pyrotechnics in movies and other occasions.
“We have asked them not to store materials used for making fire crackers in residential areas. An officer in the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police will coordinate with the manufacturers and ensure that the materials are kept in a safe place,” Mr. Akhter added.