Spend Rs 50 to set off an explosion

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While possession of gelatin (also known gelignite), detonators and other explosive materials like ammonium nitrate could be considered a grave offence that could put a person behind bars for a lifetime in many parts of the world, out in the barren, rocky badlands of western Tamil Nadu, anyone can purchase these materials for a price that is probably cheaper than one might spend on a meal.

As shocking as it might seem, one could purchase a gelatin stick for Rs 3, a detonator for Rs 5- and a box of slurry (mostly ammonium nitrate) for Rs 25 only.

“If one knows how to handle explosives and can assemble a crude bomb, it might cost the person just Rs 50 to trigger an explosion and all the products are easily available in the black market,” a senior police official in Salem told Deccan Chronicle.

The abundant availability of explosives and the rise in number of experts in handling these goods (shot firers) has encouraged criminals to use them which could turn out to be disastrous if left unchecked.

On Feb 15, 2012, a former army jawan from Pattathankottai in Krishnagiri district was killed after a crude bomb that he was carrying accidentally exploded. The jawan and his associate were taking the explosive to blast a van transporting cash for a bank.

One month later, an elderly couple from Salem had hired a henchman to trigger a blast in the bedroom of his daughter after she eloped and ran away with her lover without their consent.

These instances are not isolated cases as the Salem police alone have registered 11 cases of illegal possession of explosives and have arrested 29 persons so far between January 2011 and March 2012. Seven persons have been arrested in Salem city for the offence.

While the police and revenue officials claim that they have been conducting regular checks to ensure that all illegal godowns are sealed and regular raids are conducted, they point out that it is not possible to put an end to easy availability of explosives unless police and revenue departments work in tandem.

“For the past two months, we have regularly raided many godowns and have shut down a few illegal units. The mines department has also put up several check posts to screen motorists at random for carrying detonators and gelatin sticks,” District Revenue Officer (Salem) Mr. M. Prasannavenkatesan said.