Mumbai, January 11 (HS): Panic prevailed on Sunday after an unattended bag was found outside the official residence of Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane in Mumbai, prompting authorities to tighten security in the area.

According to police officials, the Mumbai Police control room received information on Sunday morning about a suspicious unattended bag lying outside Rane’s government bungalow, ‘Suvarnagarh’. Following the alert, local police, the bomb disposal squad and other security agencies rushed to the spot.

As a precautionary measure, the area around the bungalow was secured and public movement was temporarily restricted. The unattended bag was taken into custody and a detailed investigation was initiated. Preliminary checks have not confirmed the presence of any explosive material, officials said, adding that all angles are being thoroughly examined.

Police said CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being scanned to ascertain who left the bag there and for what purpose. Suspicious activities are being closely monitored and further questioning will be carried out if required.

Following the incident, additional police personnel have been deployed at the minister’s official residence and nearby areas. The police have appealed to citizens not to pay heed to rumours and to immediately report any suspicious object or activity.

Further investigation in the matter is underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar