Date:06/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/06/stories/2006100621620300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Empty carton creates a scare

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: A carton with a label "explosive detonators" kept in a car caused panic near Badami House for sometime in Ulsoorgate Police Station limits on Thursday morning. On verification, the police found that it was an empty carton.

Meanwhile, two educational institutions received telephone calls that bombs had been planted in different parts of the city.

A passer-by near Badami House alerted the police about the carton. On locating the owner of the car, the police learnt that he owned a unit manufacturing cartons at Bommanahalli and had his office at Chickpet and used to supply cartons to gelatine stick suppliers.

An anonymous caller speaking Hindi called PES Institute of Technology on Outer Ring Road in Girinagar Police Station limits on Thursday morning to say that three bombs had been planted on the campus. The principal informed the police who reached the college with bomb detection squads.

The police said the college management declared a holiday before the search was started. However, no explosives were found.

In another case, the head of Sacred Heart School near St. Philomena's Hospital in Ashoknagar Police Station limits received a call that a bomb had been planted. The school authorities evacuated the children and informed the police. But the call turned out to be a hoax.