Bomb Threats Trigger Security Alerts at Schools in Delhi and Noida
On Thursday, a series of bomb threats targeted several schools in Delhi and Noida, sparking immediate security responses and evacuations. The threats, which emerged during ongoing board examinations, were later declared hoaxes after thorough searches revealed no suspicious objects on the campuses. Authorities in both cities swiftly mobilized police teams, including K9 units and bomb detection squads, to ensure student safety and maintain order.
Details of the Threat Incidents
In Delhi, threatening calls were received by CRPF Public School and St Thomas School in Dwarka, as well as DAV Centenary Public School in Paschim Enclave, between 8:15 AM and 10:30 AM. Simultaneously, in Noida, multiple schools received bomb threats via emails around 8:53 AM. The timing coincided with critical board exams, adding to the urgency of the situation. Police officers emphasized that search operations were conducted with great care to avoid disrupting the examinations, following strict safety protocols to prevent panic among students and staff.
Evacuations and Security Measures
In response to the threats, students and staff were promptly evacuated from the affected schools. In Delhi, teams from local police stations, along with specialized units, conducted comprehensive anti-sabotage checks. A school in Mayur Vihar proactively informed parents about the evacuation, advising them to pick up their children. In Noida, where some schools served as exam centers for CBSE and Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, bomb disposal squads, anti-sabotage teams, and dog squads were deployed. Despite the disruptions, the situation remained peaceful throughout the day, with no injuries or damages reported.
Concerns from School Authorities
School principals expressed deep concern over the repeated nature of such threats, especially during exam periods. The principal of a private school in Sector 16 highlighted the worrisome impact on students and called for stricter government measures against those spreading panic. Similarly, the principal of another private school in Sector 126 stressed the importance of not taking these threats casually, noting the trust parents place in school administrations. Both urged authorities to identify and penalize the culprits behind these acts to prevent future incidents.
Investigation and Official Response
Rajeev Narain Mishra, ACP (law and order) for Gautam Buddha Nagar, confirmed that a cyber team is conducting a technical probe to trace the origin of the threats. This investigation aims to uncover the sources behind the hoaxes and hold perpetrators accountable. The incidents have raised broader questions about security protocols in educational institutions, with calls for enhanced measures to safeguard against such disruptions during critical academic events like board exams.
