A 25-year-old man from Erode district was arrested by Vellore Taluk police, on Friday, for possession of unlicensed explosive items, including gelatin sticks and detonators.

The police said the arrested person was identified as S. Giri, a resident of Chithode town in Erode. Initial inquiry revealed that a special police team was conducting a surprise check near Kaniyambadi town on Chittoor - Cuddalore Highway when they noticed Giri waiting with a tractor for a long time.

When the team checked the vechicle and found 55 unlicensed electric detonators, 45 gelatin sticks, and 30-metres fuse wire in the tractor.

Giri told the team that landlord K. Mani gave the job of procuring explosives to blast rocks in Moorkulam village near Kaniyambadi town to start farming in the area. Accordingly, Giri procured explosives illegally from an agent in Arani town in Tiruvannamalai.

A case was registered and special teams were formed to nab Mani and other suspects, who are absconding. Giri was lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is under way.