Bhubaneswar: Panic gripped Birapurusottampur station near Pipili in Puri district after an open suitcase with wires spilling out was spotted near the railway tracks.

Five trains were detained at various stations for more than an hour to facilitate the authorities to check the suspicious suitcase.

The bag was spotted by local residents near the tracks around 11am. Suspecting the suitcase of containing explosives, they informed the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The RPF rushed to the spot along with a dog squad.

"The suitcase was abandoned in a bush near the railway tracks. After a thorough inspection, we found some plastic toys and papers in the suitcase. We suspect the suitcase belonged to a passenger and it might have been stolen," said an RPF official.

"The Puri-Okha Express and Talcher-Puri MEMU train were halted near Birpurusottampur while Puri-Angul train was stopped near Delang station. The Puri-New Delhi Nilachal Express and another train were halted near Sakhigopal," said a railway official.

Train movement on the tracks became normal around 12.20 pm.

In April, the RPF had averted a mishap on the Alleppey-Dhanbad Express after they found six live improvised explosive device (IED) connected to 9-volt batteries from a coach of the train at the Jharsuguda railway station.

The matter had come to light after some passengers of the coach noticed a polythene carry bag burning when the train had halted at the railway station. The bomb squad later defused the explosives.

"Safety of passengers is our top priority and we decided to stop train movement on the stretch connecting Puri after the suitcase was found. Though few trains were delayed, we ensured the safety of passengers and trains," said a railway official.

State-level security committee for railways formed under the direction of Union ministry of home affairs has also decided to intensify patrolling in vulnerable areas with Maoist presence, especially in south Odisha.

Both the RPF and Government Railway Police have been asked to conduct patrols to prevent sabotage involving loss of railway property.