Karwar: Due to false rumours spread by some ignorant persons watching a mock drill by Police at Karwar, called ‘ Sagar Kavach’, (protection of Sea), on armed exercise to check the war-preparedness of certain security agencies at the waterfront, panic spread among local people as if terrorists had planted bombs below kali bridge, on Thursday.

The unusual tight security at some important places of Karwar including DC ‘s office, Bus stand, beaches and kali river bridge, created a wrong and timed reaction in local residents.

A person had died previous night of heart attack near old fish market in the city. Local eye-brow raisers connected this to police bandobust, and jumped to wrong conclusions, as if a murder by anti-social elements had taken place.

Heavily armed policemen watched islands and beaches across Uttara Kannada, like hawks. Traffic moved slowly. The police-checking of vehicles and men, added fuel to the fire of suspicion,  at nakabandi circuits made by grim-looking gun-totters inspecting passing vehicles.

The mock drill was a success in intimidating local population against taking liberties for granted.