NEW DELHI: Panic ensued on Monday morning after more than 40 private schools in Delhi received bomb threats via email. Among the affected schools were Delhi Public School branches in Vasant Kunj and R.K. Puram, G.D. Goenka School, Doon Public School in Paschim Vihar, and Brilliant’s Convent School in Pitampura.
Officials reported that bomb threat calls were received as early as 6:15 AM from G.D. Goenka Paschim Vihar and at 7:06 AM from DPS R.K. Puram. Teams from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the police, bomb disposal units, and dog squads swiftly arrived to secure and inspect the premises.
The anonymous email claimed bombs were hidden strategically within the schools and demanded a ransom of $30,000, threatening to detonate the explosives if the demand wasn’t met. The message stated that while the bombs wouldn’t destroy the buildings, they would cause injuries to students and staff. Schools quickly evacuated students and alerted parents to pick up their children as a precautionary measure.
Key Developments:
- Immediate Response: Schools canceled classes and conducted thorough security checks.
- Court Action: On November 19, the Delhi High Court directed the government and police to create a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling bomb threats and similar emergencies within eight weeks.
- Government Criticism: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and former CM Arvind Kejriwal criticized the BJP-led Central Government for failing to ensure security in the capital.
- Atishi stated, “Law and order in Delhi have never been this bad.”
- Arvind Kejriwal demanded accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
This incident underscores the urgent need for improved security measures and coordinated responses to ensure student safety in Delhi schools.