Bengaluru: The inauguration of the District Level Volleyball tournament in Hosad village took a nasty turn after an explosive, held by one Raymond, exploded in his hand and left him seriously injured on Sunday night. The incident drew attention as Bhatkal MLA, M.S. Vaidya, happened to be present and rumours were soon rife that it was an attempt to attack him. Forensic officials, meanwhile, rushed to the spot to study the explosive.
Sources said Raymond was carrying an 'explosive' when it went off in his hand. The impact tore his palm and his body sustained serious injuries. Raymond lost consciousness and was rushed to a private hospital in Manipal where he is under treatment in the Intensive Care Unit. There were allegations that the explosive was a crude bomb with which to conduct an attack on MLA M.S. Vaidya. However, the blast took place about 50 mtrs away from the venue and didn't hurt anyone but the accused himself.
M.S. Vaidya had heard the sound from where he stood during the function and had merely thought it to be a cracker. "I found out later that it was an attack. Police are looking into the incident. I have full faith in the police department. We will learn the details of the person and the reasons for the incident shortly. I have not heard of any other such attack taking place elsewhere in the state. Political hostility should not soar to these levels. However, I believe in the blessings of my God and in the people of my constituency. Nobody can harm me," a shaken Vaidya told reporters shortly after the blast.
Honnavar police have booked a case of attempt ot murder (IPC section 307) against Raymond. An investigation has been inititated to see if the incident was an attack on a particular person, on the people at large or if it was just an attempt to disturb the proceedings. "An FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) team has come to probe and identify the explosive material. Once the report is provided, we will get a clear picture," Uttar Kannada SP told Deccan Chronicle.
