Bomb hoax keeps cops on their toes

BHUBANESWAR: A call alerting possible bomb attack on Rajya Sabha member and BJD strategist Pyarimohan Mohapatra’s house got the Commissionerate Police in a tizzy on Friday.The caller was traced and rounded up for quizzing and verification. He was identified as Pradip Patnaik (35), a resident of Rajasunakhela of Nayagarh district. He has a political background but police are not too sure he plotted any such bombing.Patnaik claimed innocence but his incoherent statements only confused the police. His family members said he is under medication for mental problems.According to sources, Patnaik apparently called the DCP Office sounding an alert on a bomb attack on Mohapatra’s Sahid Nagar house. Police immediately rushed to the place and kept watch. Immediately, Patnaik’s number was tracked and he was located.“Patnaik said he overheard a discussion about a plan to attack Mohapatra’s house and chose to inform the police. He even said he was a well-wisher of Mohapatra,” sources added.However, police were in no mood to take the matter lightly and immediately began verification of Patnaik’s background. Considering that he is a political worker (belonging to an Opposition party), police contacted the family members who dismissed his claims saying he is mentally unsound.Police will take the next course of action once the background check is complete.