Several colleges in Amritsar were thrown into a state of panic on Wednesday after receiving bomb threat emails. The threats, which were sent to the official email addresses of the institutions, prompted immediate evacuation of students and staff. Security agencies and police teams rushed to the affected colleges to conduct thorough searches.
Colleges Affected
The bomb threat emails were received by at least four prominent colleges in the city, including Khalsa College, Guru Nanak Dev University College, and others. The emails claimed that explosive devices had been planted on the campuses and would be detonated soon.
Response from Authorities
Upon receiving the threats, college administrations immediately alerted the police. Bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were deployed to scan the premises. Police officials confirmed that no suspicious objects were found after extensive searches, and the threats were deemed hoaxes.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Naunihal Singh stated that an investigation has been launched to trace the origin of the emails. Cybercrime teams are working to identify the perpetrators. The police have also advised other educational institutions in the region to remain vigilant.
Impact on Students and Staff
The sudden evacuation caused chaos among students and staff. Many students were seen rushing out of classrooms and hostels. Classes were suspended for the day, and exams scheduled for the afternoon were postponed. Parents were informed about the situation and many rushed to the colleges to pick up their wards.
A student from Khalsa College said, We were in the middle of a lecture when the announcement came. Everyone was scared and confused. It took a while for the situation to calm down.
Similar Incidents in the Past
This is not the first time that educational institutions in Punjab have received such threats. In recent months, several schools and colleges across the state have been targeted by hoax bomb threats via email, causing disruption and fear. Authorities have increased surveillance and are working on preventive measures.
Police have urged the public not to panic and to report any suspicious emails or messages immediately. They also emphasized that spreading panic through false threats is a serious offense and those found guilty will face strict legal action.
