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Explosives from India Lanka bound
View(s):The detection of a cache of explosives destined for Sri Lanka from the southern Indian coastal town of Ramshwaran was declared yesterday not to be a threat to the country’s national security, a top security official said. “These non-electric detonators are exploded with dynamite in illegal fishing activities,” the official said, adding that “there have been such detections on previous occasions too.” The official spoke to the SundayTimes on condition of anonymity.
Indian media reports said that the Rameshwaram Police arrested seven suspects and found 5,000 explosives-filled detonators, reportedly to be smuggled into Sri Lanka.“Our reports,” the Sri Lankan official placed the quantity at 5,000 non-electric detonators “which could be packed in a small parcel since they are small.” Police had acted on prior information and made the detection. A Sri Lankan named Vasanth had secured the procurement through a person from Devipattinam in Rameswaram at a cost of Indian Rs 110,000, the reports said.
The official said efforts were under way to track down Vasant who is believed to be a resident of the north of Sri Lanka.