gpraman@uunet.uu.net (Raman Srinivasan) (05/30/91)
The following is excerpted from The New York Times, Sunday, May 26, 1991, which carried a photograph of the suspect and two other women. The photographer died in the explosion. .. Security offiicials say the woman wore the outfit [a salwar kameez] to cover a denim belt with a Velcro lining that held the explosive. Dr. Chandra Sekharan, director of the Tamil Nadu forensic sciences dept., said forensic studies had shown the remains of a three-volt battery and some wires. The bomb appeared to be specifically made so it would not be visible. Clothing on Explosive Belt: Initially, investigators thought a sophisticated remote control device had detonated the explosive. But now the authorities are convinced that the woman was in full control, switching on the electrical device herself to activate the explosive as she stood inches away from Mr. Gandhi. Portions of the woman's green and orange outfit were found on the belt that carried the explosive. On Friday an anonymous caller to The Hindu said the woman's outfit had been purchased at a Madras market by the young girl in the picture [the picture has 3 women, a young girl, the suspect, and an older woman]. The police are investigating, but any link between the girl and her mother[the older woman in the picture] - and the murder suspect - remains unclear. Except for the mysterious woman, all the blast victims have been identified. These include a number of security aides to Mr. Gandhi, as well as a female police constable who may have tried to block the killer as she moved toward the former Prime Minister. .. Raman Srinivasan ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Approved by moderator -----------------------------------------------------------------------