CHENNAI: Some unidentified Muslim fundamentalist group based in southern Tamil Nadu is responsible for the recurring bomb blasts in the city, police sources said, there was a minor blast in a hotel in the northern part of the city on Saturday injuring severely at least four persons and causing some damage to the building. However, since it was the third blast in three months and in every case a hotel had been targeted, a crack investigation team was set up. Joint Commissioner of Police Revi Arumugam claimed a breakthrough in the case on Sunday, saying that some vital leads had been obtained. In the three cases, no loss of life was reported and the nature of the explosives used was similar—of relatively low intensity, not aimed at causing any loss of lives but meant as a warning. Interestingly, all three hotels are owned by Muslims and they carry“anti-Islamic” activities like vending liquor or offering floor shows. Besides, all the three explosions have taken place on Friday, a holy day for the Muslims.
Mr, Arumugam said no pamphlet had been left behind by the attackers but there was enough evidence available. Besides, some persons have already been rounded up and interrogation is on. By and large, there has not been much of a problem on the communal front despite an occasional provocation by the Hindu Munnani. The Muslims are courted by all the Jraidian parties in the state and the fringe groups among them have not been able to make much of an impact. “However Gulf money’ does find its way to the State,” a senior official said, “And after the large-scale conversion of the Dalits petered out in the eighties some unemployed Muslim youth have fallen a prey to the fundamentalist campaign,” he added. Though small and relatively weak, it is a committed well knit group, it is pointed out. The murderers of the Hindu Munnani president three years ago are yet to be traced. “Mr. Karunanidhi is upset and has directed that no quarter be given to any kind of terrorist group, tigers or otherwise. We will round them up all,” the official asserted.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 30, 1996
