Suspicious object triggers panic at Metro work site

Tension prevailed for a while after a suspicious-looking object was found at the under-construction Lalbagh West gate Metro station, late on Monday night.

Two home guards on duty at the site found the object wrapped in a newspaper, tied with a thread. They immediately alerted their seniors, who in turn called the police.

The Siddapura police and personnel from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad arrived at the spot. Sniffer dogs and anti-sabotage check squad also searched the whole area. Upon inspection, the object was found to be a fire cracker. Siddapura police have registered a case and are on the look out for the persons who played the mischief. The police are verifying the CCTV footage in nearby areas for clues about the miscreants.

City police commissioner Praveen Sood visited the spot on Tuesday afternoon and spoke to officials of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) about beefing up security at Metro stations.

“We have told the BMRCL to deploy security personnel round the clock at all its stations - whether functional, non-functional or under construction. We have also told them to verify the antecedents of their employees,” said Dr Sharanappa S D, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Division.

He said that the police have held meetings with representatives of shopping malls, hotels and other places where there is high footfall on security measures they have to put in place.

Hand-held metal detectors and frame metal detectors are mandatory at such places. They should also monitor CCTV footage to keep an eye on unclaimed material and suspicious persons,” Sharanappa said.
DH News Service