DGP rules out sabotage in blasts

Villupuram, Apr 8 (UNI) Ruling out any act of sabotage in yesterday's explosion, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) D Mukherjee today said the blasts had taken place due to friction and non compliance of mandatory safeguards during transportation of combustible goods.

Talking to reporters after visiting the explosion site at Chendur village, he said the explosion, in which 16 people were killed, had occurred due to negligence.

Mr Mukherjee also visited the Pathirapuliyur godown from where the 200 kg of slurry explosives and detonators were purchased for stone quarrying at Vilangambadi.

Forensic experts had taken samples from the blast site for ascertaining the nature of chemicals present in the explosive, though police sources said the presence of calcium ammonium nitrate might have triggered the blast.

Police sources said four special teams had been formed to apprehend five people, including godown owner Sekar, who were at large.

Police also sealed the explosives godown, though Sekar had proper licence for selling the explosives.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi chaired a high-level meeting at the state Secretariat here to discuss the relief and rehabilitation process to be given to the victims.

Chief Secretary L K Tripathy, Home Secretary, Revenue Secretary, Public Department Secretary, State DGP and ADGP Intelligence participated in the meeting.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) State Secretary N Varadharajan said the blast had raised some security concerns and urged the government to take steps to prevent such incidents in future.

UNI