The 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts are still a very harrowing memory for the people of Coimbatore and Tamil Nadu. The recent release of three convicts involved in the blasts by the Tamil Nadu government, led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), just days before the anniversary of the tragic event on 14 February 2024, has reignited the pain, leaving a sense that the wounds are being reopened instead of allowed to heal.
A video of former police officer R Varadharajan who also hosts a YouTube channel named Netaji TV has surfaced in the backdrop of the Coimbatore blasts anniversary. In the video, Varadharajan narrates how former TN CM Karunanidhi refused to listen to the recommendations of the intelligence wing which ultimately led to the horrific blasts and what happened subsequently in the state in terms of minority appeasement.
Varadharajan starts by stating how the intelligence wing was aware of the possibility of the blasts much before 1998. He said, “When Jayalalithaa was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (between 1991 and 1996). The police department handed over a report to Jayalalithaa. The report indicated that there was a risk of a bomb blast in Tamil Nadu. And that this blast can occur in Coimbatore at any point in time. Jayalalithaa immediately called the police department and asked how this was possible. So the intelligence department handed over the evidence to the then CM. She asked them to tell what could be done to prevent this. The intelligence department informed her that gelatin sticks that were used in the bomb preparation were being smuggled into TN from Kerala by terrorists. So a check post must be built between the two states to check the entry of these gelatin sticks. Only if that is done can we prevent the blast. They also advised that check posts were also necessary inside Coimbatore. Additionally, they asked her to arrest a few people (5-6) under the Goondas Act because if they were free, the chances of the blasts were higher.”
He further added, “Upon hearing the input from the intelligence department, Jayalalithaa ordered the DGP to action all the requests. A few people were arrested under the Goondas Act. A check post was erected between Kerala and TN so also inside the Coimbatore town to check for gelatin sticks smuggling.”
Here’s what happened after Jayalalithaa lost the 1996 Assembly elections and Karunanidhi came to power. Varadharajan said, “As soon as he (Karunanidhi) took the reins, he instructed for the release of those who were arrested under the Goondas Act. He also asked for the removal of all checkposts. The intelligence department warned him of the fact that the gelatin sticks were being smuggled into TN through the border, the blasts could occur, and that the check posts needed to remain. But he (Karunanidhi) looked at it as an election ploy and asked for the removal of the check posts.”
He added, “An IG-Intelligence wrote a note to Karunanidhi saying it was a dangerous thing that he had done and that there would surely be blasts in Coimbatore. Karunanidhi rejected it saying it was not necessary. Then the blasts occurred in 1998. What he did after the blasts was, he transferred the officer who warned him of the consequences of his actions (of removing check posts, releasing prisoners jailed under Goondas, etc).”
“When the officer questioned why he was being transferred despite giving him a clear warning of the consequences, Karunanidhi asked him to stay away for a while to manage the situation,” he further stated.
Varadharajan states, “Terrorists belong to a certain religion. Criminals do not have caste, creed, or religion. Based on the recommendation of the intelligence wing, the police department arrested 20 people in Coimbatore. Many do not know what happened. Overruling the intelligence department, Karunanidhi said, you have arrested 20 people belonging to the same religion. Arrest 20 people from another religion. So the intelligence department said that they could only arrest the offenders, we cannot arrest innocent people for your politics and to gain a name in your political circles, and that they could not accept that. Karunanidhi insisted they do it but the police department refused to accept it.”
He added, “The blasts occurred because he (Karunanidhi) refused to accept the recommendations of the intelligence wing. Police department again arrested those who were arrested (under Goondas) and then released.”
குண்டு வெடிப்பதற்கு முன்பே தீவிரவாதிகளை முழு மூச்சுடன் எதிர்த்தார் அம்மையார் ஜெயலலிதா, ஆனால் இன்றோ அதே கட்சி தண்டிக்கபட்ட தீவிரவாதிகளை விடுதலை செய்ய சட்டசபையில் தீர்மானம் கொண்டு வருகிறது#கோவை_மன்னிக்காது pic.twitter.com/JstWU3A300
— Selva Kumar (@Selvakumar_IN) February 14, 2024
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