Smoke near ISRO was of limestone dust: Police

On Sunday, a billow of smoke emanated from a series of hills near the ISRO complex and there was a rumour that an unidentified object had exploded. When the news was reported, police sent an anti-naxal squad to the spot to check if there is any illegal activity. 

However, the smoke was due just to a limestone, said the police. Tirunelveli SP said that due to continuous rain a rock had rolled over and fallen on limestone powder. This had raised a big column of smoke and there was no explosion, said the SP. He also said that another rock nearby is also in a precarious position and it might fall any moment in the same location. He appealed to the locals not to panic about the incident. He also clarified that it has nothing to do with ISRO centre which is located around 15 km from the hill where the stones had fallen. 

Meanwhile, officials from ISRO propulsion complex filed a police complaint with the Panakudi police against media houses for broadcasting wrong news about ISRO propulsion complex repeatedly. 

Sources said that in the complaint it was mentioned that a few media houses had carried news that there was an explosion near the ISRO centre and security needs to be beefed up. Sources also said that legal opinion is sought after and appropriate action would be taken.