A high-security alert was reportedly issued across Nagpur district in Maharashtra after an anonymous letter claimed that radioactive material had been planted at several sensitive locations in the city, including the RSS headquarters and a BJP office, reported the PTI.
The letter was received at the office of Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Singal on April 27, officials said, the news agency reported.
The letter, written in English and allegedly sent by a group calling itself “DSS”, claimed that Caesium-137, a highly radioactive substance, had been placed at multiple sites, according to the PTI.
The locations mentioned in letter
According to the news agency, multiple locations were mentioned in the threat letter. It stated that radioactive material was planted at –
– Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters
– Smriti Mandir, a memorial linked to RSS founders
– A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Ganeshpeth
– Metro trains on the Orange and Aqua lines
– `Aapli Bus` services operating in the city
The letter also alleged that the material was sourced from a cancer hospital and warned of a wider radiation threat across Nagpur.
Immediate security response
Following the threat, police activated emergency protocols and launched extensive searches at all mentioned locations.
Multiple teams, along with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and atomic energy experts, were deployed to inspect the sites, as per the PTI.
Officials confirmed that no traces of radioactive material have been found so far.
Investigators suspect the letter may be a hoax, though they are continuing their probe with caution due to the seriousness of the claims.
An ATS official said that while initial checks indicate no real threat, the investigation is being handled with full priority.
Earlier incident mentioned
The letter also referred to the recent recovery of detonators and gelatin sticks near Dosar Bhavan Metro Station, claiming responsibility and describing it as a “warning”.
Police are examining whether the two incidents are linked.
Security has been significantly increased, particularly around RSS premises, which already have round-the-clock protection from CISF and Nagpur Police.
A case has been registered at Sadar police station based on an ATS complaint.
Officials said efforts are underway to trace the origin of the letter and identify those behind the so-called “DSS” group.
(with PTI inputs)