Panic at bus stand in Hyderabad as African leaves suitcase behind

A suitcase left behind by an African led to panic at the Mahatma Gandhi Central Bus stand in Hyderabad today that  contained a machine used for making fake foreign currency notes, police said.

Panic gripped the bus stand area for quite some time this morning when no one came forward to claim the suitcase and people started suspecting that it might contain a bomb.

A bomb disposal squad was immediately called, which after checking the suitcase found a machine inside and some bundles of paper to make fake foreign currency, a senior police officer told PTI.

"It seems the machine was used to print fake foreign currency notes," the police officer said, adding local police personnel earlier carried out a routine frisking at the bus stand and had come across an African.

"After a routine checking, that person (with African looks) was let off, but we suspect he may have left behind the suitcase. A search has been launched and we have asked the public to inform us if they come across this man," the police officer said.

Further investigations are on.