Petrol Bomb Hurled Outside Raj Bhavan In Chennai, 1 Arrested. Security Beefed Up

The Chennai police ruled out any security lapse after a petrol bomb was hurled outside Raj Bhavan and the accused was nabbed at the spot.

Vinoth was arrested in 2022 for throwing petrol bombs at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Chennai

A petrol bomb was hurled outside Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Wednesday. The police have arrested an accused and filed a complaint in Guindy police station. The arrested man has been identified as Karuka Vinoth. The incident took place at 2.45 PM at the main gate of Raj Bhavan. An alert police detail apprehended Vinoth as he attempted to launch the Molotov cocktail, which subsequently landed in front of the barricade placed before the Raj Bhavan's main gate.

Although there was no fire, a slight flame appeared on the wick before the bottle fell and shattered, news agency PTI reported. The police also seized more Molotov cocktail bottles from Vinoth.

As per PTI, the police stated that there was only one Molotov cocktail used in the incident, and it failed to have the desired impact. The police ruled out any security lapse and have since registered a case against Vinoth, who is now in custody.

Vinoth, aged 42, who had recently been released on bail. He is a resident of Teynampet in Chennai and was previously implicated in two similar incidents, including an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Chennai.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: A petrol bomb was hurled outside Raj Bhavan today in Chennai. A complaint has been lodged in Guindy police station.

Further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/irbfkZ3sYL

— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2023

 

Vinoth had taken petrol from motorcycles parked on the premises of Saidapet Court, then walked towards Raj Bhavan, where he poured the petrol on two bottles, ignited them on fire, and hurled them at Raj Bhavan's front gate, as per a report on India Today.

The police team stationed at the main gate detained him before he could throw two more petrol bombs, according to authorities.

Security has been beefed up outside Raj Bhavan in the capital city.

There are speculations that the accused took to the action due to a delay in giving the nod to cancel National Eligibility Cum Entrance and returning a file with former DGP Sylendra Babu's appointment.

Opposition parties have vehemently condemned the incident, decrying the perceived 'deterioration' of law and order in the state. AIADMK Chief Edappadi K Palaniswami noted that the Raj Bhavan, a high-security zone, now seems plagued by 'insecurity.' Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam echoed these concerns, while VK Sasikala, a confidante of the late J Jayalalithaa, saw the incident as a form of intimidation aimed at the Governor, PTI reported.

Taking to X, TN BJP Chief Annamalai said, "Petrol bombs were hurled at Raj Bhavan today, reflects the true law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. While DMK is busy diverting the attention of people to insignificant matters of interest, criminals have taken the streets."

"Incidentally, it is the same person who attacked @BJP4TamilNadu Headquarters in Chennai in Feb 2022 is held responsible for the attack on Raj Bhavan today. These continuous attack only leaves one to think that the DMK government is sponsoring these attacks. Thiru @mkstalin will now be preparing for the next diversion, as he always does," he said. 

Union Minister L Murugan has criticised the DMK government for its handling of law and order.

A Molotov cocktail, typically filled with petrol and ignited with a cloth wick, is an incendiary device known for its potential to cause fires and chaos.