A person was killed, and another was grievously injured in a blast near Panur in this north Kerala district in the early hours of Friday, according to a PTI report. The incident occurred around 1 AM, and it is alleged by the opposition Congress to have happened during the manufacturing of country-made bombs.


The deceased, Sherin, a resident of Kaivelikkal, succumbed to injuries during treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. The other victim, Vineesh, lost one palm and is in critical condition, the police said, as per PTI. Both of them are supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)).


The leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, V D Satheesan blamed the ruling CPI(M) for the incident. He alleged that the Left party is using its workers to manufacture these bombs which is leading to the worsening of the law and order situation ahead of the elections.


He further questioned Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, who is in charge of the Home Department, citing a similar incident that occurred recently in Thiruvananthapuram two days ago.


On Wednesday, two teenagers were seriously injured in Thiruvananthapuram when a country-made bomb they were allegedly making exploded in a vacant land at Horizon Park near Mannanthala. One teenager lost both palms, and the other suffered partial palm damage, while two others with them sustained minor injuries.


According to PTI, police revealed that all four teenagers were between 17 and 18 years old and had been involved in various criminal cases.


Ahead of going to polls on April 26, a total of 290 nominations were filed for Kerala's 20 Lok Sabha seats. Thursday was the last date for filing of nominations. Kerala will vote during the second phase of the parliamentary elections. 


The scrutiny of the nominations will take place on Friday and Monday is the last date for withdrawal.


Thiruvananthapuram, which sees a triangular fight between the three political fronts, has the maximum number of nominations, at 22, and the Alathur (reserved for SC) constituency in Palakkad district has the least - eight.