DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 8 (MExN): An unclaimed bag was at the centre of yet another case of ‘bomb scare’ in Dimapur, Monday evening. Reminiscent of similar cases in the recent past, it set alarm bells ringing, particularly among the law enforcement agencies already left baffled by two grenade explosions in the town on September 24 and October 1.
The site was at Nyamo Lotha (NL) Road, just outside Thesouhie Shopping Arcade, opposite Christian Higher Secondary School. The time was around 4:30 pm in the evening when shopkeepers in the vicinity grew suspicious of a black laptop satchel kept on the fuel tank of a motor-cycle. The satchel, it was learned, was seen in that position since noon. Further inquiries led apprehensive shopkeepers to the owner of the motor-cycle, who is an employee of Bank of Baroda located on the second floor of Thesouhie building. The owner was informed; who went down to verify the bike was his, but not the satchel.
When no claimants came forward, suspicion grew of a possible explosive in the bag. Panic spread and police was called around 5:00 pm. The police arrived and cordoned off the area. Entry of vehicles to NL Road was also stopped, though it could be affected only around 6:00 pm. Despite the bomb threat, there was no dearth of curious onlookers.
The bomb disposal squad of the police eventually arrived, who went about the usual routine of panning explosives detection paraphernalia over suspect objects sans protective suits. When no plausible data of a possible explosive was detected by the equipments, the squad took the next step of using a cord with a hook to remove the satchel from the bike. The hook was manually latched on the satchel.
Using an overhead rod as a make-shift pulley, one member of the bomb disposal squad gently pulled at one end of the cord from a distance, while the satchel was lifted off the bike and set on the ground. No explosion occurred.
Finally around 6:30 pm, the bag was nonchalantly dumped into the back of the BDDS vehicle and driven away. The entire heart-stopping exercise lasted for over half-an-hour.
It was later learned that the satchel contained a digital video projector and a data cable. The police have asked the owner of the bag to claim the bag from East Police Station, though with credible proof of ownership.
Meanwhile, the police, citing possible spread of panic-creating messages through mobile phones and via internet social networking sites, have appealed one and all to refrain from doing so; indulging in, with mischief in mind, will invite prosecution under the relevant Acts and sections of law.
