COIMBATORE: The Perur police on Tuesday arrested a man on charges of planting a country-made bomb, locally known as an avuttukai, in an agricultural field for the purpose of hunting wild boars, officials said. The arrest followed an incident in which a grazing bull suffered severe jaw injuries after biting into the explosive device.
Incident and immediate response
The animal, a bull belonging to farmer Palanisamy (65) of Karadimadai near Perur, was grazing in a sesame field on Tuesday morning when it bit into a fruit that concealed the improvised explosive. The avuttukai detonated, causing serious injuries to the animal’s jaw, police said.
Palanisamy alerted authorities at the Madukkarai forest range and the Perur police station, who reached the spot and launched an inquiry into the incident. During the subsequent investigation, police identified and arrested L Rayan (70) of Karadimadai on suspicion of placing the device in the field.
Seizure of explosives and investigation
Police said they seized four country-made bombs from Rayan’s residence. The nature of the devices matches the locally used avuttukai — crude explosive traps often set to target wild animals. Authorities have registered a case and are probing the circumstances under which the devices were made and placed.
“Preliminary inquiries revealed that the suspect had planted the device in the sesame field for hunting wild boars,” police reported.
- Victim animal: Bull owned by Palanisamy, 65, of Karadimadai.
- Suspect arrested: L Rayan, 70, of Karadimadai near Perur.
- Seized items: Four country-made bombs recovered from the suspect’s house.
Local context and risks
The use of avuttukai and other improvised explosive devices to hunt wild boar and other animals is a hazardous practice with multiple consequences. Beyond the immediate danger to the targeted wild animals, such devices pose a serious threat to livestock, humans — including children and farm workers — and the wider rural environment. In this case, the explosive injured a domestic bull, underscoring the collateral harm these traps can cause to farmers’ livelihoods.
Officials at the Madukkarai forest range and Perur police are examining whether similar devices have been used in neighbouring fields and are assessing the need for further searches. The investigation will also determine whether any charges beyond unlawful possession and endangerment are appropriate under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and relevant arms and explosives statutes.
Possible legal and administrative follow-up
Police sources said the case file now includes the arrest of Rayan and details of the seizures; forensic examination of the devices may follow to determine their composition and origin. Depending on the results and any additional evidence, the probe could expand to identify suppliers of explosive materials or others who may have assisted in assembling or concealing the devices.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Karadimadai, near Perur, Coimbatore district |
| Victim | Bull belonging to Palanisamy (65) |
| Suspect | L Rayan (70) |
| Items seized | Four country-made bombs (avuttukai) |
Rural communities across parts of Coimbatore district periodically report human-wildlife conflict, particularly with wild boars that damage crops. Forest officials and village authorities typically urge farmers to adopt non-lethal deterrents and to report sightings so that authorised measures can be taken. The Perur police and Madukkarai forest range have advised residents to remain vigilant and to notify authorities if they find suspicious objects in agricultural fields.
The probe into the Karadimadai incident is ongoing, and police said further details would be released as they become available.
