Suitcase scare in Mangalore turns out a hoax

Bangalore, Jul 28 (UNI) The police and the public alike, who spent some anxious moments in coastal Managalore suspecting an abandoned suitcase to be containing explosive materials, heaved a sigh of relief after their fears were proved unfounded.

The suitcase, found on a motorcycle at Central Market in Mangalore, created panic among the public and was shifted to Nehru Maidan. It was covered with sand bags on all sides and police were awaiting experts from outside the district.

Meanwhile, a builder approached the police and informed that it was his suitcase which had been stolen from his parked car near the City Market. The thief might have abandoned it on the motorcycle, after finding that it contained no valuables or cash. After verifying his statement, police handed over the suitcase with documents to the builder.

After the serial bomb blasts in this IT capital, a series of bomb threat calls in city schools kept the police personnel on tenterhooks.

(Eds: Here pick up suitably from MS 29) UNI MA SB KP2045