Mystery boxes at Shimoga railway station contain table salt, not explosives

Team Udayavani, Nov 6, 2023, 9:03 AM IST

The Superintendent of Police GK Mithun Kumar informed that the two suspicious boxes found at Shimoga railway station contained table salt.

Two anonymous boxes triggered a bomb scare in the city. “Made in Bangladesh, food grains and sugars” were written on the boxes, Shivamogga Superintendent of Police GK Mithun Kumar said.

Barricades and sandbags were placed around the boxes so that no one could come near them. The police opened the boxes after the arrival of the bomb disposal team from Bengaluru.

However, the operation was somewhat hindered by a sudden evening rain, causing some delay. The first box was opened around 2:40 am, followed by the second box at approximately 3:24 am, using controlled explosives. Each box revealed two bags of a mysterious white powdery substance.

District Superintendent of Police G.K. Mithunkumar expressed relief as the bomb disposal squad successfully confirmed the absence of explosives in the boxes after a continuous six-hour operation, easing concerns for both law enforcement personnel and the public.

However, some doubts arose, with MLA SN Channabasappa suspecting the use of explosives to open the locks on the boxes, as each trunk contained two bags wrapped in paper. The presence of a white powder raised further questions about its purpose.

Channabasappa emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine the nature of this powder, stressing the gravity of the situation due to its unusual weight and the public’s concern. He called upon the state government to take the matter seriously and provide a detailed report.

In the meantime, the police have interrogated individuals connected to the incident, and Channabasappa urged transparency in the investigation, discouraging any attempts to conceal information.