Row over sand mining triggered K-town blast

Six persons died and three others sustained injuries as country bombs kept in a house went off at Tsunami Nagar in Idinthakarai near Koodankulam on Tuesday evening.

Tsunami Nagar was established to rehabilitate people who were affected by the tsunami that ravaged the coastal areas in 2004. The hamlet is situated between Idinthakarai and Koodankulam plant. According to police, enmity prevailed between two groups in the village over illegal mining of beach sand from coastal areas.

Some families from Kuthenkuly, a nearby hamlet, who were opposed to beach mineral sand mining, were residing in Tsunami Nagar. There were frequent fights between the two groups residing at different places including Idinthakarai and Tsunami Nagar. Police sources said that bombs were kept in a house where a family from Kuthenkuly was residing.

Fire service personnel led by District Fire Officer Padmakumar and police led by DIG Sumith Saran and Tirunelveli SP Vijayendra S Bidari rushed to the spot and started rescue operations. Padmakumar said Fire and Rescue Services personnel were continuing their search.  Bidari said the blast had no connection with the ongoing protest against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP). The protest which completed two years, is led by the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), with active support from the residents of Idinthakarai village.