Katigorah Gelatin Blast Update: "Meant to Spread Fear, Not Harm; Probe Underway," SP

An alleged gelatin-based explosion near the project office of Jandu Infratech company Ltd., in Tarinipur, Katigorah, created panic on Wednesday afternoon. The blast, which occurred around 4:30 PM near the main gate of the company’s camp office, left a small jujube (bogori) tree damaged but caused no casualties.

According to Cachar Superintendent of Police (SP) Numal Mahatta, preliminary investigations suggest that gelatin sticks, commonly used in stone mining in Meghalaya, were used in the explosion. Some gelatin sticks, a battery-like object and plastic fragments were also recovered from the site, as per Cachar Police. “This was an attempt by miscreants to create fear psychosis. There is no need to panic as the explosion was of low intensity,” Mahatta told reporters.

Speaking about the incident, SP Mahatta said, “This evening, a loud explosion was heard in the neighbourhood, prompting locals to alert the police. Our team rushed to the scene immediately, and I also visited the site. Upon inspection, we found that a jujube (bogori) tree near the entrance had been damaged due to the blast’s impact”.

Adding the repeated nature of such incidents, SP mentioned, “Just a few days ago, a similar incident occurred in the Kachudaram area. In Meghalaya, gelatin sticks and explosives are commonly used for breaking boulders and stones. Some miscreants seem to have brought such explosives here with the intent to spread fear among locals and labourers”.

“However, I want to assure everyone that there is no reason to panic”, Mahatta said and added, “This was a low-intensity explosion designed only to create an atmosphere of fear, not to cause harm. We are confident that we will soon apprehend two individuals involved in this act. A rigorous investigation is already underway, and strict action will be taken against those responsible. Our priority is to ensure a safe working environment for everyone involved in the project.”

When asked about the ransom call made to Jandu Constructions on February 21, demanding ₹10 crore, and whether both incidents were linked, SP Mahatta clarified, “That was a bogus ransom call from some miscreants who claimed to be of some international terrorist organisation. They were trying to extort money from the company. These kinds of miscreants exist, and our main goal is to apprehend them and take proper legal actions against those responsible.”

Jandu Constructions has faced security threats in the past. In December 2024, two of its drivers were kidnapped in Manipur, allegedly by a militant and separatist group’s faction, before being successfully rescued in January by Cachar Police.

With repeated threats and now an explosion, concerns over the safety of the company’s operations in the region continue to grow. SP Mahatta assured that a rigorous investigation is underway and that the culprits behind the latest incident will be arrested soon.