Threat to bomb 48 schools simultaneously in Karnataka, panic created as soon as e-mail was received
Panic spread in Karnataka’s capital Bangalore when a threat was made to bomb 48 private schools simultaneously. This threat was sent to all the schools through e-mail on the morning of 1 December. It was written in it that bombs have been kept inside all the schools, which will explode simultaneously. The school administration swung into action as soon as the e-mail was received. The police was immediately informed. Police reached the spot and took out the students and school staff. Bomb Diffusal Squad, Dog Squad and Anti Sabotage Team searched the entire premises. During this time, there was an atmosphere of panic among the parents of the children. Everyone started reaching school in a hurry.
A senior officer of Bangalore Police said, “48 schools have received an email in which a bomb threat has been issued. All schools have been mailed from the same email ID. The email claimed that explosives had been planted in the school premises. We received a call from the command center and immediately sent our teams to schools which are located in different parts of the city. All students and staff were safely evacuated from the school premises. An intensive search operation was launched, which is almost over. No suspicious object has been found in any school. Prima facie this appears to be a fake message.
Police have registered a case in this matter. Investigation of this matter is going on. The accused will be arrested very soon. On the other hand, when the parents of the students came to know about the threat received through email, they reached the school in advance so that the children could be brought back home safely. Police Commissioner B Dayanand said that a few days ago also some schools in Bangalore had received threatening emails. Bomb diffusion squads were sent to all these schools. Even at that time this threat turned out to be a rumour. He said, “Earlier also similar threatening letters and emails had come to schools. They were found to be fake for mischief. The police had identified the people behind this. “I appeal to people not to worry as these are probably all fake calls (mails).”
Some of the students of various schools who received bomb threats say that their examinations are going to start from today. Their examinations were postponed after receiving emails related to the bomb blasts. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he has asked the police to seriously investigate the e-mail and its source and provide adequate security to schools and temples as a precautionary measure. He said, “I have spoken to police officials. They have been instructed to take adequate security measures at all places, remain alert and trace the people behind this. There is no need for anyone to worry. I have asked to tighten security.”
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar visited one of the schools where the bomb threat was received. He took information about the situation from the school and the police. He said, “I was a little disappointed after watching the news on TV, because some schools that I know and the school near my house were also mentioned. So I went there myself to investigate. The police have shown me the email. Prima facie, it appears to be fake (fraud). I have spoken to the police, but we should remain cautious. The parents are looking a little worried, but there is no need for them to do so. Police is active.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said that this message has come from the email ID harijites@beeble.com. It says that bombs have been planted in schools in Bangalore and threats have been made to kill children and staff. He told, “We are seriously verifying it and its source. I have spoken to the commissioner and officials. Necessary instructions and verification on whether it is true or false and instructions to take steps accordingly are given. We will confirm who is behind this and whether any terrorist organization is involved in it, and take action accordingly. At present, it cannot be said who is behind this.”
The Home Minister reminded that a similar threat had come last year too, which was found to be fake during investigation. This could also be a fake threat, but we are not taking it lightly. If there is even one per cent (doubt), we will take it seriously and take steps like sensitizing intelligence and informing central agencies, which is what the department has to do. We are in regular touch with the authorities. He has appealed to parents and the public not to worry. “First we will focus on investigation and clearing in 15 schools, and later look at other schools along with the police station officials of the jurisdiction,” he said.
