Where is the 740 tonnes of ammonium nitrate seized by the customs in Chennai port five years ago?
While the politicians claimed that the chemical is in the Chennai port, the officials contest saying the consignment has been shifted to a “safer” place.
The stocked in Chennai came to the notice after 2,700 tonnes ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut port in Lebanon exploded on Tuesday killing 135 persons and injuring thousands.
The customs had seized 37 containers of the explosive chemical in 2015 after its importer, a private firm, failed to present the relevant documents. The estimated cost of the seized chemicals was Rs 1.80 crore. The consignment was imported from Korea.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss swung into action and called for its safe disposal. In a tweet, he cited Tuesday’s explosion in Beirut caused by large quantities of ammonium nitrate stored in the port and cautioned that Chennai could face a similar threat.
The customs and port authorities clarified that the consignment was not in the port and had been shifted “elsewhere” that further complicated the issue. However, officials said without disclosing the location that the place was safe and away from population.
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