Man killed in bomb explosion

KANNUR: A man was killed when a country-made bomb exploded in an uninhabited plot near Dharmadom near Thalassery on Monday. The dead has been identified as Puthiyandi Sajeevan, 47, of Dharmadom. The police said he suffered fatal injuries in the explosion that occurred at Swamikunnu, near the beach at Dharmadam. The blast occurred around noon. Quoting witnesses, the police said Sajeevan had gone to the plot to collect fallen coconut and coconut leaves. The witnesses saw him running to the beach following the explosion. Drenched in blood, he collapsed and died, the police said. The police said the area was a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamevak Sangh (RSS). Following the incident, the police conducted raids in the area. No weapon was found during the raid, the police said. The CPI (M) district secretary P Jayarajan alleged that the RSS had stocked bombs in the area. After the explosion, the RSS could have removed the bombs from the spot, he alleged