Karkala: Ammunitions were sized from the farm house of Bijju Thomas, a native from Kerala. The police had received information that he had stored these ammunitions in his farm house. Up to 350 bags of ammonium nitrate were stored in this place. The police also found 70 tons of ammonium nitrate, 42000 detonators and 19000 fuses in an under construction house owned by Thomas. It is learnt that, in Karnataka this is the first case registered which includes such a huge amount.
Ammonium nitrate is used in rock mining and also in destructive bombs, said Dr. Boralingayya, Police Commissioner for Udupi district.
Bijju Thomas has resided in Karkala since 15 years, he was into rubber cultivation with his siblings, later he got into the business of supplying ammunitions to rock splitters, his licence permits him to supply 500 kg only but Thomas illegally supplies ammunition including huge amounts. Police had arrested Thomas for the same issue, but after his release he got back into the illegal business.
Police suspect that there is a big network behind Thomas. They also suspect that Indian Mujahideen may have connection to the issue.
