Shivamogga, Mar 5 (DHNS): A “bomb-like” object found in an open space near a school here on Wednesday could just be an ice-cream ball, police have said, dismissing rumours that it contained explosives.

The object became the centre of attention after some people alerted the police to a plastic ball partly tied with a Sellotape lying near Vikasa School in Vinobanagar around 10.30 am. A bomb detection and disposal squad landed at the locality in no time, and after examining it, concluded that it was not a bomb.

The experts found some powder and other materials in the ball, which have been sent for forensic investigation. Some of the powder was burnt to see its behaviour, and the ash will also be sent for forensic investigation, M Nanjundaswamy, IGP, Eastern Range, told reporters later in the day. Although a photograph of the object shows a metal nut thread tied to it with a thin white rope, the IGP said no nut or bolt had been found.

The IGP was at pains to reiterate that the object was not a bomb and that people not need panic. “I’m told ice cream is kept in such a ball which is sold in the market. I haven’t come across such a thing so far. I’ve never seen such an ice-cream ball. It’s said the object was lying at the place for many days now and people may have ignored it earlier.

“But once the threat letters appeared in the press, people panicked and alerted the police. A few houses in the locality have installed surveillance cameras and we are looking into their footage to find a clue,” Nanjundaswamy explained.

When asked about the Indian Muslim Federation, a supposedly fictitious outfit which sent the threat letters to two evening papers on Tuesday, the IGP said, “We are of the view that such an organisation doesn’t exist in India. But we will keep investigating.” He also made it clear that the police would continue the operation to look for suspicious objects/explosives.