Bombs found in Kalinganagar

Jajpur Police has recovered 35 unexploded bombs from Kalinganagar and arrested the two persons who had come to deliver them.

“We have arrested two persons who had come to deliver the crude bombs. We are still chasing who ordered these bombs,” said Inspector In-charge of Kalianganagar Police station.

Kalinganagar , which houses the projects of several steel producers including JSL (formerly Jindal Stainless Ltd), Tata Steel, VISA Steel, Neelachal Ispat and Mesco Steel, has been a sensitive area since the police firing that took place in 2006, killing fourteen persons. The recovery of bombs assumes significance as a spurt in Naxal sponsored activity has been noticed in the area recently.

However, Jajpur police said the bomb delivery case might not be an act of Naxals. “We do not think it was part of Maoists activities. Those were crude bombs, made and delivered by local villagers. The bomb deals often take place before elections,” the police station in-charge said.

The entire state is under poll mode as the village level Panchayat elections are being conducted in five phases staring February. The contestants usually take the help of explosives to threaten their rivals in the election, he said. Last month, the office of the State Election Commissioner and Chief Secretary had received threat letters along with detonators demanding better medical infrastructure in Dhenkanal district. The letters were probably sent by the Maoists to create a buzz in the upcoming panchayat elections, sources said.