By Syed Akbar
Kadapa, May 5: The notorious Kadapa bombs, earlier sold for just Rs 60 a piece, are
conspicuous by their absence this crucial by-election to Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency.
Election is scheduled for May 8 and thus far the police have not laid their hands on the
“bomb consignment”.
Kadapa has the dubious distinction of being a district of bombs, blood, political rivalry
and faction feuds. Readymade bombs are sold in isolated localities in villages notorious
for faction fights. During elections bombs are made to order to suit the needs of the
contesting candidates. But this time, Kadapa bombs are conspicuous by their absence and
even there’s no talk of crude bomb in faction villages of Pulivendula, Kamalapuram,
Jammalamadugu and Proddatur.
“We used to get bombs for as low as Rs 60 a piece. If it is of relatively high intensity
with glass pieces, the price goes up to Rs 150 per bomb,” a villager told this
correspondent in Proddatur. Asked why there’s no talk of crude bombs, he pointed out that
former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy had brought about a rapprochement among feudal
leaders and put an end to the bomb culture. Incidentally, the elections in 2009 were free
of bomb attacks. Most the polls held prior to 2009 witnessed violent incidents.
Bombs are prepared in villages far away from the State or national highways based on the
order given by faction leaders. They are then put in plastic buckets filled with husk or
sand to avoid accidental blast due to friction. These buckets are then hidden under
haystacks meant for cattle feed, or in cattle sheds to avoid easy detection by the police.
Besides bombs, the other dreaded weapon used in these parts is “Eetapulla” (a long, sharp
knife resembling a phoenix leaf). Unlicensed pistols, revolvers and guns are quite common
in faction villages.
With the nation turning its eyes on Kadapa and Pulivendula, the Election Commission has
ensured that the police conduct surprise raids on suspicious villages and seize weapons
for violence-free elections. So far the police have taken possession of 1240 licensed
weapons, 16 unlicensed (estimates put the unlicensed weapons at more than 1000), 1248
gelatin sticks, 1000 detonators and four bombs.
The police have booked non-bailable cases against 255 people and bound over 10,615
trouble mongers for good conduct. They include bomb makers, rigging expert and vote
“cycling” leaders from hypersensitive and sensitive villages and towns.
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