For the 19th time in just two months, the Coimbatore district collectorate was targeted by a hoax bomb threat on Monday, causing alarm and disruption. Despite intensive efforts, the city police remain unable to trace the source of these threatening emails, highlighting a persistent challenge for law enforcement.
Threat Email Triggers Security Scare
The latest scare began when staff at the collectorate discovered an alarming email in their inbox. The message contained a specific threat, stating, 'RDX IEDs placed on Coimbatore collectorate premises. Evacuate innocent persons by 11.55am.' Officials immediately alerted the Coimbatore City Police about the potential danger.
The timing of the threat amplified concerns, as Monday was a scheduled grievance day at the collectorate. This meant a larger-than-usual number of citizens were present on the premises to voice their concerns to officials when the threatening communication was received.
Thorough Search Confirms Hoax
Responding swiftly to the alert, specialized teams from the city police sprang into action. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and the K9 dog squad conducted a meticulous and comprehensive sweep of the entire collectorate building and its surroundings.
After a detailed search operation, the teams found absolutely nothing suspicious. They officially declared the email a hoax, allowing normal activities to resume. However, the incident caused significant inconvenience and consumed valuable security resources.
Police Struggle to Identify Culprit
The recurring nature of these threats has become a major headache for the Coimbatore police. This was the 19th hoax bomb threat targeting the collectorate in the span of a couple of months. Each incident follows a similar pattern, with threats arriving via email.
Despite deploying technical expertise and investigative measures, the police have so far been unsuccessful in tracking down the individual or group behind these fake threats. The anonymity provided by email platforms continues to shield the miscreants, leaving authorities to deal with the consequences of each alert.
These repeated hoaxes not only disrupt public services and cause panic but also divert critical police manpower and bomb squad resources from genuine emergencies. The police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and efforts to trace the sender are being intensified.
