A high-security alert has been issued in Nagpur, Maharashtra, following the receipt of an anonymous letter by the Police Commissioner. The letter, attributed to an organization named ‘DSS’, claimed that radioactive material had been scattered at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters and the Dr. Hedgewar Smriti Mandir. This alarming development has prompted a comprehensive investigation involving the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The letter, penned in English, was delivered to Police Commissioner Dr. Ravindrakumar Singal on April 27. It contained offensive language towards the RSS and contained a disturbing message: Caesium-137, a hazardous radioactive substance, was allegedly placed at various strategic locations. Caesium-137 is a radioactive isotope of caesium, not occurring naturally but produced as a byproduct of nuclear fission in reactors and weapons. It emits beta particles and potent gamma rays, with a half-life of 30.05 years.
According to the letter, the radioactive material was purportedly planted at several sites including the RSS Headquarters, Reshimbagh Smriti Mandir, the BJP Office, Metro train seats, and city buses. The perpetrators claimed to have sourced the substance from a cancer hospital and challenged authorities by asserting that Nagpur was now under a radiation threat. Additionally, the letter referred to a previous incident involving explosives, hinting at further ominous intentions.
The ATS, in conjunction with the NDRF and atomic energy experts, conducted extensive searches at the mentioned locations but found no evidence of radioactive material. Despite initial findings suggesting a possible hoax, security measures have been heightened around Metro infrastructure and the RSS premises. An investigation is ongoing to identify the sender and the ‘DSS’ organization behind the threatening letter.
