The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) received a bomb threat via email on Thursday morning, triggering a massive security scare and the evacuation of all its offices across the city. The threat was later declared a hoax after a thorough search found no suspicious objects or explosive materials.
Details of the Threat
The email, received at 10:06 am, specifically mentioned the mayor's office and MCG offices as targets. Authorities swiftly evacuated the headquarters in Sector 34, the old MCG office in Civil Lines, and offices in Sectors 29 and 42. The email was sent from an address purportedly linked to a pro-Khalistan individual.
Evacuation and Response
The alert caused particular concern at the Sector 34 headquarters, which houses not only MCG's main administrative offices and the mayor's office but also those of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran, and the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation. Approximately 1,000 employees were in the building when the threat was received.
Police teams arrived at the Sector 34 headquarters around 10:15 am and began securing the area. By 10:30 am, the evacuation was completed, and all entry and exit points were sealed. The bomb disposal squad, which first sanitised the old MCG office in Civil Lines, arrived at 11:30 am.
Search and Declaration of Hoax
Police and bomb squad members carried out an extensive search, examining offices, common areas, and the surrounding complex. After several hours, they declared the building safe. Police spokesperson Sandeep Turan stated that multiple teams went to the spot and determined the bomb threat was a hoax, so there was no reason to panic.
The teams left the Sector 34 headquarters around 1:30 pm. However, work remained suspended, and entry to the public was restricted. Many residents unaware of the situation continued to turn up at the civic body's offices but were turned away at the gate.
Renewed Security Concerns
The incident has renewed concerns over security arrangements at government offices. MCG offices lack screening infrastructure at their entrances. Visitors and employees can enter without going through walk-through metal detectors, baggage scanners, or structured access-control checkpoints.
Authorities are now planning to strengthen security arrangements. MCG additional commissioner Ravinder Yadav said, 'We are reviewing our security infrastructure and will hold detailed discussions with the police to assess additional requirements. Any security gaps identified will be addressed on priority.'
Advisory Issued
MCG issued an advisory directing all employees to remain vigilant and strictly follow security protocols. Staff members were instructed to immediately report any suspicious person, object, or vehicle to senior officials, police personnel, and security staff. They were told not to touch any unattended item and to fully comply with directions issued by police and security agencies.
The advisory further urged employees not to spread unverified information on social media. The corporation also ordered stricter verification of visitors.
Broader Threats
The email also referred to potential attacks on railway routes and mentioned prominent religious sites in Haryana and Delhi. Security agencies are analysing it to determine the credibility of the threat and trace its origin.
