Bag with gelatin sticks found on PM Modi's convoy route in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A suspicious packet containing two gelatin sticks was found on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where PM Narendra Modi’s convoy was scheduled to pass on Sunday, triggering a temporary security scare. 

According to officials, the package was found nearly a km away from the NICE Road junction near Thathaguni, Kaggalipura, on Sunday morning, nearly one-and-a-half hours ahead of the prime minister’s visit. 

“A constable who was part of the area domination exercise and was doing anti-sabotage checks found the package approximately 25 feet away from the road near a compound wall. Area domination teams arrived at the spot and found two gelatin sticks. They were immediately recovered, and the area was secured. No suspects have been detained so far,” said R Srinivas Gowda, Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru South district. 

An investigation has been launched, and special teams have been formed to trace the suspects. “The spot is a bit away from the route of the PM’s convoy,” the SP added. Investigators have yet to determine if the gelatin sticks were deliberately placed or disposed of. “Quarrying takes place in nearby areas, and someone involved in it may have disposed of the gelatin sticks. A probe will reveal everything,” a police source said. 

The city police arrested a person identified as Lohith, 40, for making a hoax call to the police control room at around 7.30 am. He was apprehended from a house near Koramangala. 

The suspect had claimed that there would be explosions near HAL and Art of Living premises. 

“No connection has been established between the suspect arrested in Koramanagala and the gelatin sticks. He is learnt to have made such hoax calls during previous VVIP and VIP visits also. He appears to be mentally unstable,” a police officer said.