Udupi: Cops seize 30 country bombs; three arrested

Udupi, Nov 23: A team of Hebri police in Udupi district have seized as many as 30 country bombs and arrested three persons. Nagesh Nayak (35), resident of Hebri Kanyana, Gunakar Shetty (56), resident of Altadi Ardi and Laxman Shetty alias Lachu Shetty (67), resident of Altadi Madamakki, are the arrested.

Superintendent of Police Sanjeev M Patil told reporters here on Wednesday that Nagesh Nayak had procured the country bombs to hunt wild animals and was on his way to nearby forest to lay the bait.

Acting on a tip off Jagannath T T, PSI, Hebri police station and staff flagged down a scooter at Byana main road in Shivapura village and questioned the rider. While inspecting the vehicle, police discovered 30 country bombs stashed in the storage space beneath the seat, a head torch, a knife and a rain coat.

Nagesh informed police that he had purchased the bombs from Gunakar Shetty. Police seized the scooter as well as seized the bombs found in his possession.

Continuing with their investigation, Jagannath on direction from Hrishikesh Sonawane, assistant superintendent of police, Karkala sub-division on Wednesday nabbed Gunakar and Lakshman Shetty on charges of manufacturing and supplying country bombs. Police seized a motorcycle and 3 country bombs from their possession, Sanjeev Patil said adding Nagesh paid Rs 15000 to the duo for the 30 bombs.

The country bombs are usually wrapped in a cloth and used by farmers as wild-boar or pig trap to kill the animals. The explosive material used in the traps is similar to that used in low-intensity bombs. The farmers wrap the material in cloth along with food used as bait. When the wild boars get attracted by the food, they bite on the cloth bundle which explodes, killing or maiming them. Farmers use this to drive out the wild boars, which destroy their crops.

A case has been registered in Hebri PS under section 9B(1) of the Explosives Act, 1884 and section 4(b) and 5(A) of the Explosives Materials Act, 1908 along with 34 IPC, the SP said.