India, Nov. 22 -- Police said that the 161 gelatin sticks recovered from near a government school in Uttarakhand's Almora are typically used to break stones in road construction projects, and appealed to the public not to believe in rumours.

The principal of Government Higher Secondary School in Dabra on Thursday evening informed the Salt Police Station that children playing near the school had spotted something suspicious in the bushes, senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Almora Devendra Pincha said.

A police team reached the spot and secured the area for safety. "A total of 161 gelatin sticks were recovered from the scene," Pincha said.

"On Friday, bomb disposal and dog squad teams were called to the spot. Samples were collected...