Overview
- A CPI(M) activist, identified by police as Vipin Raj, suffered severe injuries to his hand when an explosive detonated in Pinarayi on Tuesday afternoon.
- Officers said he is being treated at a private hospital in Chala as they investigate the circumstances of the blast and whether others were involved.
- Earlier the same day, a bomb squad defused two country-made devices recovered from a deserted plot near Sree Narayana Math at Kutteri.
- CPI(M) described the incident as an accidental ‘Olapadakkam’ firecracker explosion linked to victory celebrations, while Congress leaders, including KPCC chief Sunny Joseph, alleged illicit bomb-making by party cadres.
- Police noted the site is about five kilometres from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence and said the injured man has been named in prior criminal cases.