Police said workers were digging open land to create a pond under the plan when they came across a metal object | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Women workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) found an unexploded artillery shell in Melpakkam village near Arakkonam town in Ranipet.
Police said a group of NREGA workers were digging open land to create a pond in the village when they came across a metal object. They immediately informed Arakkonam Tahsildar K. Venkatesan, Block Development Officer (BDO) S. Dasaprakash and Arakkonam City Police. “The shell resembles an old corroded artillery piece. We have also sought expert opinion. The local police have also been directed to check all such explosives in the area,” Ranipet SP Ayman Jamal told The Hindu.
An initial investigation showed that the casing was completely corroded. It is about three feet in height. After inspecting the site, officials and police said the discovered object could be from the British period, especially during the World War II years. Such shells are still used today.
Acting on an alert, Ranipet SP Ayman Jamal inspected the grenade which was kept at the Arms Depot in the district. The district police asked the army to assess and dismantle the bullet. A probe is underway.
Published – 21 Jan 2026 23:51 IST
