A major scare gripped Central Nagpur on Tuesday after explosive material was found near Dosar Bhavan Square on Central Avenue, a busy and sensitive area of the city. Police suspect that the material may have been stored with a larger plan in mind or it may have been stolen and later abandoned after the person realised it could not be sold anywhere. The incident came to light around 10.55 am when Dr Ujwal Ambadas, a resident near Dosar Bhawan Chowk, was cleaning his garden.

 

“I had been seeing the box for about a month and did not suspect anything, so I ignored it as nothing unusual was noticed. But today I decided to open it. When I opened the box, I saw some material that looked unusual and had a strong smell like gunpowder. I immediately informed the police,” the doctor said. Soon after receiving the alert, police teams along with the bomb detection and disposal squad rushed to the spot. Sniffer dogs were used to examine the box, and the team quickly confirmed the presence of hazardous material. Police immediately cordoned off the entire area. Barricades and ropes were placed, and public movement was restricted to ensure safety. A senior police officer said, “We followed all safety protocols. The area was sealed, and the material was handled carefully to avoid any risk to the public.”

 

After a thorough check, the bomb squad recovered 58 detonators and 8 connectors packed in 15 small boxes. The material was later shifted in two sealed vehicles to a safe location, where it was successfully deactivated. Commissioner of Police Dr Ravindra Kumar Singal said, “The recovered material is highly sensitive in nature. We ensured that it was safely removed and neutralised without causing any harm.” DCP Zone II Rahul Madane claimed that the recovered explosives carry the trademark of SBL Energy Company. “We are trying to find out how this material reached such a crowded area. CCTV footage from nearby locations is being examined, but so far no strong leads have been found,” he said. 

 

Meanwhile, the SBL company was sealed after the massive blast last month. After receiving the information, SP Nagpur Rural Dr Harssh Poddar directed the concerned SDPO and PESO officials to inspect whether any pilferage had occurred. The police checked the available explosives and the entries in the register, which suggested that no pilferage had taken place at the company. This indicates that the explosives might have been taken from a supplier. b

 

According to initial information, the box may have been lying in the area for nearly one-and-a-half months. Dr Ambadas said, “I had seen something lying there earlier but did not suspect it to be dangerous. Today when I checked properly, I realised it could be explosive material.” The recovery has raised serious security concerns as the area is densely populated and includes important religious places. Police are also looking into whether the material is linked to any larger conspiracy. A senior officer said, “At present, we are not confirming any terror angle, but we are investigating all possibilities. Safety of citizens is our top priority.” The search for the person responsible for keeping the explosives is ongoing.