Jharkhand: Suspected Maoists loot 7,000 detonators from explosive godown
Police said that after knowing of the incident, security personnel led by West Singbhum superintendent of police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar reached the village on Friday morning and took stock of the situation
Suspected Maoists attacked a private explosive godown in Parmaljodi village in West Singhhum district on Thursday night and managed to loot around 7,000 detonators, police said.
Police said that after knowing of the incident, security personnel led by West Singhhum superintendent of police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar reached the village on Friday morning and took stock of the situation.
According to the SP, a group of around 30-35 Maoists attacked the godown at around 10pm on Thursday and managed to get away with 7,000 detonators.
“These detonators were meant for mining purposes. No other explosive was stocked at the facility,” he said.
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He said that the detonators, which are not available in the open market, were stocked at the godown for supply to mining firms working in the Singhbhum area for controlled low-intensity blasts. However, the Maoists often use detonators for making IEDs used against security forces, said the SP.
The SP further said they are questioning the license holder of the godown. “We are reviewing the licensing norms, especially the provisions for ensuring the security of the godown. We will act accordingly,” added Shekhar.
According to a source inside the security establishment, “In recent months, few people were arrested for procuring detonators and explosives from stone-crushing units and supplying them to Maoists.”