Jabalpur, Mar 7 (UNI) Panic gripped local railway station after spread of a rumour about a bomb and foreigners' presence in the saloon of the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jabalpur.

DRM Alok Johri's saloon, attached to the Mahakaushal Express, was surrounded by mediapersons, personnel of the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police besides a dog squad, soon after it arrived here.

The saloon was detached from the train, Mr Johri alighted and left the station. For three hours, the saloon was shifted from one platform to another. Subsequently, the door was opened and Mrs Johri got off with four foreigner friends.

''Mr Johri and the others left Agra yesterday. After he alighted, the others were made to remain in the saloon due to security reasons as a lot of people were around it,'' Senior Divisional Manager (Commerce) Rajesh Pathak told mediapersons.

Pointing out that the foreigners were not travelling illegally as they possessed first-class tickets, he added that the DRM could officially take acquaintances with him in the saloon.

''The matter was raked up to sully my reputation. During my journey I even inspected Manikpur Station. I got off from the saloon as I had to rush to office. A lot of work was pending since I was away from Jabalpur for three to four days,'' Mr Johri told UNI