Box creates bomb scare in Mysuru

MYSURU: A box full of batteries and connecting wires abandoned on the footpath of People’s Park opposite KSRTC sub-urban bus stand created panic among Mysureans on Wednesday morning. However, policemen heaved a sigh of relief after they found out that it was just a power bank used for manufacturing uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system.

Autorickshaw drivers Mohsin and Showkath who noticed the box first, alerted a traffic policeman deployed nearby. He quickly passed on the information to Control room, who instantly dispatched the anti-sabotage check (ASC) team to the spot.

The ASC personnel, accompanied by a sniffer dog, inspected the box, and suspected it to be explosives. They took it inside the park where there were no people. Experts involved in defusing bombs were summoned, who succeeded in disconnecting the wires connected to the batteries.

Police Commissioner Dr A S Subramanyeshwar Rao later addressed the media and said, “It is a power bank used in manufacturing UPS. The box consisted of 40 lithium ion batteries with a circuit board, which is adequate to say that it is a power bank.” However, as a precautionary measure, it will be further examined by experts who make UPS to ascertain the fact.

The Commissioner said, “An investigation has been launched and now the focus will be to know whether it was intentional or unintentional on the part of those who disposed of the box at the spot, where it was found.”

Reacting to queries, the Commissioner said, such batteries are also used in cell phones. They do not explode, until and unless they come in contact with fire.