An early morning explosion on 30 August in Keezhara, Kannur district, has once again raised troubling questions about illegal fireworks manufacturing and political shielding. Police arrested Anoop Malik from Kanjangad after the blast ripped through a rented house, killing one man identified as Mohammed Asham, a Chalad native and reportedly Malik’s brother-in-law.
What makes the case more explosive are allegations of Malik’s political connections. The CPM district secretary has claimed that Malik enjoys close ties with the Congress, particularly with former Pradesh Congress Committee President K. Sudhakaran. Though the Congress has flatly rejected the charge, unconfirmed reports point to Malik’s proximity to local Congress leaders. Critics allege that such links may explain why Malik has repeatedly evaded strict punishment despite facing multiple cases.
Police have registered a case under the Explosive Substances Act, noting that Malik had no valid licence for fireworks manufacturing. He had leased the house under the pretext of running a spare parts business, but fireworks production was allegedly being carried out there for over a year. Investigators believe the deceased Asham was working under Malik’s instructions, producing fireworks inside the premises. The explosion also damaged nearby houses, intensifying public alarm.
This is not Malik’s first brush with the law. Reports show he has been accused in at least seven similar incidents, including the infamous Podikkund explosion of 2016. He was also arrested in 2009 and 2013 for possessing unauthorised fireworks. Yet, many of these cases were booked under minor charges, fuelling suspicions that sections of the police attempted to shield him.
The people of Kerala view the Keezhara blast with deep concern. Kannur, especially Thalassery, has long been scarred by political bombings and clashes between CPM and RSS-BJP cadres. After a decade of relative calm, this tragedy has reopened fears that violence and explosives could once again disturb the fragile peace in the region.
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