Massive haul of explosives in MP

GUNA (MP): One person was arrested after a huge quantity of explosives and detonators were recovered, allegedly from a house at Chanderi in neighbouring Ashok Nagar district on Sunday, police said.

Around 425 kg of explosive in gelatine rods, 300 capsules of powdered explosives weighing 125 gms each and 12,000 detonators were recovered from the house of one Rajendra Singh Thakur alias 'Mama Thakur', Chanderi Police Station in-charge Praveen Asthana said.

Four exploders, assembly of batteries and other equipment, were also recovered during the raid conducted following a tip-off, he said, adding the gelatine rods were hidden in 17 boxes - 15 bearing marks of a Nagpur-based explosives company and the rest carrying symbols of a Kolkata-based company.

Thakur's brother, Jitendra Singh, was arrested from the spot, he added.

The explosives seemed to be used for illegal mining operations in the area, Deputy Inspector General of Police Adarsh Katiyar said.

Apart from the explosives, around 500 bottles of illicit liquor were also recovered, allegedly from the house, Asthana said.

Cases were registered under the Explosives Act and for hoarding illicit liquor, he said, adding the matter was being investigated.