Tension prevailed in the town late on Sunday night when an explosive went off during a volleyball tournament, where independent MLA Mankala S Vaidya was present.
The incident occurred at around 11 pm, at Hosada village, when the MLA was on his way to the dais of the tournament function, for which he was the chief guest.
The suspect is Raymond Kaitaon Miranda, who was severely injured in the incident. He has been admitted to the KMC Hospital, Manipal, for treatment.
A case has been registered against Miranda and a few others with regard to the incident. It is said that the suspect, a resident of Prabhatnagar in the town, had kept the explosive in his right hand with an intention to kill those present at the spot.
Miranda's right wrist has been severed in the blast. He has also suffered injuries in his face and chest.
It is said that the suspect was at the farm belonging to Francis Munwell Rodrigues, 30 metres from the venue of the function, when he committed the crime, said Ganapathi Madeva Ambiga of Hosada village, who registered a complaint with the police.
Among the theories doing the rounds is that the suspect may have brought the explosive to assassinate the MLA and it went off accidentally. Another version is that Miranda may have brought crackers for bursting at the function.
Speaking to DH, MLA Vaidya demanded that a proper investigation should be conducted to bring out the truth.
District Superintendent of Police Vinayak V Patil said Miranda was undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit of the district hospital. His statement could be taken only after he regains consciousness. A team of the forensic science laboratory had visited the blast spot for an inspection, he said, adding that the team would also gather information on where the explosives were brought from.
Patil said a gunman had already been provided to the legislator and that they had no information of any threat to him in recent times.
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