Panic and tension prevailed in Vambakeerappalayam and surrounding areas here after country-made bombs were hurled in at least eight places by unidentified persons on Monday morning. Two persons, Alima (60) and Raman (28), suffered injuries in the attack.
A little earlier, fisherman Rajasekar, an accused in the murder of VCK functionary and municipal worker Manavalan in August last year, was attacked by four unidentified persons in a house in Narambai. Rajasekar was later taken to the JIPMER hospital.
Superintendent of Police (North) S Ramaraj said both the groups were at loggerheads for quite sometime following the death of Manavalan.
In August last year, Manavalan (32), a local unit activist of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), was hacked to death by a gang near a teashop at Sonampalayam. Police had then registered a case against 14 people, including Rajasekar of Vampakeerapalayam and Kulla Saravanan, against whom several cases were pending.
Rajasekar and others came out on bail three months ago, but were barred by the police from entering their respective areas for three months. As a result, Rajasekar began living in Narambai.
The SP said at least eight country-made bombs were hurled at different places in Dubarayapet and Vambakeerappalayam areas to create panic and ensure there is no retaliation. The bombs were hurled close to the time when Rajasekar was attacked.
Yet there was retaliation, as Rajasekar’s followers ransacked the house of Manavalan, but nobody was injured. The police rushed to the spot and posted pickets in the Vambakeerappalayam area. Ramaraj said the Odiansalai police have registered a case and the culprits would be booked in a day or two.
The UT police had faced flak last year following a bomb attack that killed notorious history-sheeter Jegan, who was being escorted by the police, after producing him before a local court. In another bomb blast at a slum board tenement, a four-year-old child received injuries.
Following the incidents, a series of raids were conducted for tracking down anti-social elements. Another country-made bomb - found lying in an open space near a primary school in Perumal Koil Street in the heart of Puducherry town in December last - had scared the locals. The police were yet to get a clue about the origin of that bomb.