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Day 7: March 28 - Violation of Stimulant Control Law
- Police announced an investigation into Aum's possible violations of
the Stimulant Control Law. Police believe that illegal stimulants were
used in the sect's initiation rites. The Yomiuri quoted one member who had
left the facility as saying "I was given an intravenous injection and fell
asleep a few minutes later. I had multi-colored dreams and woke up seven
or eight hours later." [ There were a dozen or so similar quotes. None
of the Japanese media pointed out that most people do not pass out after
being given a stimulant. --TR ]
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Day 8: March 29 - Nationwide Search Begins
- Police announced that they now have the names of all Aum executives
involved in the Aum "Science and Technology Department" and will begin a
nationwide search for them. No warrants have yet been issued.
The police announced that the car confiscated in the Mach 23rd
arrest contained a diagram for a chemical plant and several optical and
floppy disks. The police have still not released the man's identity.
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Day 9: March 30 - NPA Chief Shot
- Takaji Kunimatsu, the head of the National Police Agency, was shot at
around 8:30 AM in front of his apartment building. He was rushed to a
nearby hospital, where he is in critical condition. A gunman, who appeared
to be in his thirties and around 180cm tall, shot five or six times and
struck Kunimatsu four times. He then escaped on a bicycle. No group has
claimed responsibility. Aum Shinri Kyo was quickly accused by the press
and issued a statement denying any involvement.
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Day 10: March 31 - Military Production Method Suspected
- The Yomiuri Shinbun quoted an unnamed chemical weapons experts as
saying chemical byproducts found at the compound indicate that Aum was
producing large amounts of sarin at a time. "The method (discovered by the
police) is probably the most common form of producing sarin in mass for
military purposes."
Police announced that a total of 11 plastic pouches containing
traces of sarin were found on the subway after last week's attack. Police
believe that the 20cc pouches are the kind used by hospitals for blood
transfusions and IV drips. Police believe that a medical worker is among
those responsible for the attack.