The police is trying to track down the mastermind of a case in which a large amount of illegal explosives were recovered here.

Following the recovery of the explosives from a truck, in which these were being transported, residents here are raising the question of general safety and security.

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A few days ago the police recovered 4800 electronic detonator, 2700 super power gelatin sticks and 850 kilograms of ammonium nitrate. This seems to be a huge amount however, many say this seizure was just a tip of the proverbial iceberg.

“The seizure is nothing in comparison how much is being sold. This is a big racket and fortunately so far such contrabands have not found its way to the hands of the miscreants but there are huge possibility of explosives finding their way to the wrong hands,” said a retired police officer on condition of anonymity.

The Rourkela police says they are going to reach the roots of the trade. This seizure has been done by the Brahmani Tarang police.

Meanwhile, police are carrying out raids at different place of the district for which a special task force has been formed.

Speaking to media SDPO Panposh Ashim Kumar Panda said, “We have arrested four persons however, the mastermind is absconding at this moment. But, we are in hot pursuit. We are actually trying to ascertain from where this had come and where it was heading” The illegal explosives were coming from Nihalprasad in Dhenkanal.

“We actually did not find any valid documents with them. Besides, they tried to evade our questions. At this moment our interrogation is going on and soon we will find more into the whole racket,” said the SDPO.

These quarries have mushroomed following the spurt in construction activities. Rourkela only has more than 30 such quarries in its vicinity in places like Jalda, Balanda, Mundabasti and Deogarh.Similarly, all across Sundergarh there are believed to be more than 200 such quarries according to a rough estimate.