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Mangalore: Unclaimed Suitcase Causes Scare at Bajpe Airport

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA/MB)

Mangalore, Aug 16: An unattended and unclaimed suitcase which was found in the visitors' lounge at Bajpe airport here on Tuesday August 14 night caused panic for sometime. The situation remained grim until sniffer dogs were brougnt in and the chances of the suitcase having any explosives were ruled out.

The suitcase was found abandoned on a chair in the visitors' launge.  Since it was the eve of Independence Day, there was already an alert in force. As no one had claimed the suitcase for long, the panic button was pressed in the vicinity.  The suitcase bore the name of one Ibrahim M Ahmed. 

As a precautionary measure, sand bags were stacked around the suitcase pending arrival of the sniffer dogs and bomb detection on the spot.  Even Dakshina Kannada SP Satheesh Kumar too rushed to the spot immediately.

However, when the suitcase was opened, only a few clothes and pens were found in it.  The suitcase was then handed over to Bajpe police.

Later it came to light that the suitcase belonged to Ibrahim Kunhi Malakad of M M House, Atimila of Manikoth in Kanhagad.  He has been working in Egypt Flower Textiles in Abu Dhabi for the last few years and had come down on holidays on Tuesday by the Air India Express flight.  He had 3 bags and a suitcase with him.

But after meeting his wife and children, while in a hurry, he missed taking the suitcase. It was only after reaching home that he realized about the missing suitcase.  Immediately he rushed back to the airport in the midnight and met the airport officials.  He was sent to Bajpe police who returned the suitcase after proper identification and verification.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Nelson Lewis, Karkala/Bombay/Kingdom of Bahrain

    Sat, Aug 18 2007

    In such a situation, the best thing that could be done was to immediately summon the bomb disposal squad. If this was going to take time, they could have piled sand bags over the bag so in case of explosion, the destruction would have been minimal.

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  • Steve, Mulki Govt.JC

    Fri, Aug 17 2007

    Raja, I am glad that finally I met you. Even the bombscare in the Bajpe Airport was the first hand experience and you are IT prof. Pls make something for India for this 60th birthday.

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  • M. Ashraf, Libya

    Sat, Aug 18 2007

    I do agree with Rajesh Hegde, it is very childish idea to implement such sand sacks to prevent damages from explosion, we are in 21st Century and moreover we are very advanced in software technology, why we dont utilize the great mind of best human resources?????????, ridiculous, god save great India!!!

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  • Edwin D'Souza, Angelore

    Sat, Aug 18 2007

    Mr. Raj Hegde’s dissatisfaction over the incident of handling unclaimed suitcase at Mangalore Airport attracted my attention. But I failed to read any better suggestion from him how such situations should be handled. Good that none carried away that suitcase because it did not belong to them. But it created lot of misunderstanding and the people did what they could.

    Even a dog came in there to smell, not knowing what it was. It would be nice to have people like Raj at the Airport to deal with such situation. Unfortunately Raj is in Austrailia. Raj can give some better suggestions. I can only recollect several incidents at various airports around the world. Personal belongings should be taken care with extra care.

    My purse with valid documents was left at the security check at Sydney airport. Luckily none took it away. I was in the security department and was thoroughly questioned before I could claim it within 30 minutes. My wife, son and my cousin were with me. All the contents were thoroughly checked before it was returned to me. Many things may happen when we are on international trip or even while passing through an airport. People should be extra careful while traveling. I appreciate Mangalore Airport personnel.

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  • Kiran, Udupi

    Fri, Aug 17 2007

    I dont think aussies have anything to add to terrorist related comments, as they could not even handle Dr Hanif`s case logically!

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  • Raj Hegde, Down Under ( Australia)

    Fri, Aug 17 2007

    The way in which authorities have handled the situation is unprofessional, immature and ridiculous. Had there been a real bomb planted in the suitcase, the devastating effect would have been enormous. It was a childish idea to gather sand-sacks around the suspicious object expecting that the damage would be reduced in the event of an explosion.

    The authorities are neither prepared nor educated enough to face such emergency situations. Their gadgets were crude and out-dated. They need to undergo formal training with mock trials and there was no word of evacuation in this dilemma. And the Bomb Squad did not even have protective clothing at the time of inspection.

    I feel the authorities are still in the 18th century as far as their intelligence and thoughts are concerned. The question is, how safe are the innocent, general public who rest their safety in the hands of these people. God Save India! Jai Hind!

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  • Manisha , Perth, Aussi

    Fri, Aug 17 2007

    Wow, I really am glad to see the Bomb Squad in a very protective get-up. That stick would sure have come in handy, in the case of a bomb blast. The casual wear also goes down well, who needs 'tough' clothing? Not these rough guys.

    As for the time spent stacking the sand-sacks, time well spent is what I have to say. The bomb could surely not have blown in that time. Oh no, never. Big cheers to the authorative figures at Managalore Airport. Job well handled. I now know my safety is in good hands when I'm at the Mangalore Airport. Thanks

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