Low intensity bomb blast at Sompeta

A Bomb Explosion on Wednesday at the clinic of an environmentalist leading protests against the Sompeta Thermal Power Plant has led to beliefs that it could have been an attempt to discourage any opposition.

The low-intensity bomb exploded at the Lakshmi Nursing Home, owned by Dr Krishna Murthy on Wednesday did not cause any human casualties.

Dr Krishna Murthy is spearheading the agitation against the setting up of the Rs 1,200 crore thermal power plant by the Nagarjuna Construction Company.

A protest against the power plant had led to police firing in which two protestors had lost their lives and over 150 persons, including policemen, were left injured on July 14.

Farmers and fishermen of the region have been protesting against the project as it is coming up on 1,890 acre on a wetland and is close to the sea coast. They fear the project will destroy the ecology and will take away their livelihood.

The bomb, though low in intensity was enough to ignite a fire which was doused quickly. The blast and the subsequent fire damaged some furniture and furnishings.

The bomb, according to police, was planted in a bathroom of the hospital on the third floor. Preliminary investigations suggest that the bomb was triggered off by a mobile phone.