Gujarat Assembly Evacuated Over Bomb Threat Email, Session Delayed by Hoax
The budget session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar was thrown into chaos on Wednesday morning following the receipt of a chilling email threatening to bomb the complex at 2:11 PM. In an unprecedented security scare, the entire assembly building was evacuated minutes before proceedings were scheduled to begin at 9 AM, causing a significant disruption to the day's legislative agenda.
Evacuation and Security Sweep
As the threat emerged, MLAs, assembly employees, and visitors were swiftly evacuated from the premises. Bomb disposal squads and dog teams were immediately deployed to conduct a thorough sweep of the complex. The scene was one of urgency, with legislators and secretariat staff seen hurriedly descending stairs from the upper floors to safety.
Minister Arjun Modhwadia, speaking from Dwarka hall, emphasized that "the police is doing its job. A search is being conducted, and everyone's safety is paramount." His colleague, Minister Pravin Mali, added that "this is a sensitive issue and the police are doing their job in conducting a thorough search of the premises."
Hoax Confirmed and Investigation Launched
After an extensive search, no suspicious items were found, and the session resumed approximately one hour later than scheduled. Gandhinagar Superintendent of Police Ravi Teja Vasamsetty confirmed that the threat was a hoax, allegedly sent by a Khalistani extremist outfit.
"The email was sent from a Gmail ID. It contained English and transliterated Punjabi words," Vasamsetty stated, noting that a case would be registered and an investigation initiated. The email also referenced a deadline connected to March 25, the scheduled conclusion date of the ongoing budget session.
Political Reactions and Calls for Action
Legislators from both the ruling BJP and opposition Congress united in condemning the threat and demanding strict action against those responsible. BJP MLA Mahesh Kaswala asserted that "the intention behind the threat email is to disturb Gujarat's peace. They sent such threat emails to schools and courts in the past, and now to the assembly. The state govt has taken this threat seriously."
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala echoed this sentiment, highlighting that "in the recent past, several schools and courts in Ahmedabad have received such threats, and now the assembly too has been targeted. The govt must initiate strict action against those responsible for this."
Speaker's Statement and Historical Context
During question hour, Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar raised a point of information, seeking details on the bomb threat and noting that "an atmosphere of fear spread in this house and proceedings were delayed by an hour. Schools, colleges, courts, govt offices and airports have received such threats and now the assembly too."
In response, Speaker Shankar Chaudhary revealed that he had immediately informed the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and the Director General of Police upon receiving the threat email. He assured the house that "police check the assembly thoroughly every day. But as a precautionary measure, I got the assembly checked again. Gujarat is not frightened by such mails. The state has faced terror attacks fearlessly in the past."
The incident underscores a troubling pattern of similar threats targeting educational institutions, courts, and now legislative bodies in Gujarat, raising concerns about security protocols and the need for robust cyber investigation mechanisms to trace and prosecute the perpetrators behind such disruptive hoaxes.
