Kannur: Country bombs are wreaking havoc in Kannur. Even while political leaders claim that they have bid adieu to bloodshed and violence, the statistics tell a different story. Over 252 country-made bombs were found in Kannur district over the last five years. 15 were spotted over the last six months. Taking the unprecedented situation into account, bomb squads from neighbouring districts were also rushed to Kannur.

Bomb explosions happened at eight places  in the district over the last three years. Post 1998, including the recent Panur bomb mishap, 10 people have lost their lives while making country bombs. While six of them were CPM workers, four belonged to the RSS.

Vacant houses have come under radar. Open lands will come under surveillance as well. Inspections will be conducted every week in coordination with the panchayat officials. City police commissioner Ajith  Kumar said that “a 10-member team has been allotted for identifying such bombs.”

Exploding tiffin boxes and ice cream balls are not really news now in Kannur. These bombs are usually hidden in secretive places. The bombs are at times found inside pipes and in racks on walls and other places.