On May Day, Delhi woke up to a rude shock as 97 schools across the national capital received emails threatening to blow the schools up.
The students were evacuated, and panicked parents flocked to schools following the notification of threat emails to local police.
Bomb detection teams, bomb disposal squads, and personnel from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) were rushed to schools after police received calls about a bomb threat. Delhi Police said they thoroughly checked all schools that received bomb threats but found nothing suspicious.
“Some schools in Delhi received emails regarding bomb threats. Delhi Police have thoroughly checked all such schools as per protocol,” read a statement from Delhi Police on X.
Some schools of Delhi received E-mails regarding bomb threats. Delhi Police has conducted thorough check of all such schools as per protocol. Nothing objectionable has been found. It appears that these calls seem to be hoax.
We request the public not to panic and maintain peace.— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) May 1, 2024
“Nothing objectionable has been found. It appears that these calls are likely to be a hoax. We urge the public not to panic and maintain peace,” the statement continued.
According to the DFS, by 12 noon on Wednesday, they had received calls from 97 schools in Delhi. An officer said that all calls were attended.
Multiple private schools in Noida and Greater Noida were also targeted by the bomb threat.
Rohini DCP Gurbiqbal Singh and Shahdara DCP Surendra Chaudhary informed Patriot that eight schools in the Rohini district and 10 schools in Shahdara received such threats.
East Delhi reported 24 instances of such threats, North East Delhi has reported three, West Delhi has reported 13, Dwarka has reported over 15, while eight schools in the South East Delhi district received threat emails.
In response to the incident, Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena said that he had spoken to the Delhi police commissioner and requested a detailed report on the bomb threats at schools in Delhi-NCR.
Spoke to the Police Commissioner and sought a detailed report into the bomb threats at schools in Delhi-NCR. Directed Delhi Police to carry out a thorough search in school premises, identify the culprits & ensure there are no lapses.
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) May 1, 2024
“I have instructed Delhi Police to conduct a thorough search of school premises, identify the culprits, and ensure there are no security lapses,” he said, urging parents not to panic and to cooperate with the administration to ensure the safety of schools and children.
“The miscreants and culprits will face consequences,” he added.
The Union Home Ministry has also said that the threats appear to be hoaxes and that there is no need to panic.
Some schools in Delhi received threat e-mails this morning. The mails appear to be hoax and there is no need to panic. @DelhiPolice and security agencies are taking all necessary steps as per protocol.
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) May 1, 2024
Delhi Education Minister Atishi also urged parents not to panic. “Some schools received bomb threats this morning. Students have been evacuated, and the premises are being searched by Delhi Police. So far, nothing suspicious has been found in any of the schools,” Atishi wrote on X.
“We are in constant contact with the police and the schools. I would urge parents and citizens not to panic. School authorities will communicate with parents wherever necessary,” Atishi added.
Some schools have received bomb threats today morning. Students have been evacuated and those premises are being searched by Delhi Police. So far nothing has been found in any of the schools.
We are in constant touch with the Police and the schools. Would request parents and…
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) May 1, 2024
The letter, accessed by Patriot, warned of multiple bombs planted throughout the schools, stating, “There are many explosive devices in the school.”
The email was sent at 4:13 AM and targeted around 100 schools across Delhi-NCR, including Noida, Greater Noida and Gurugram.
The schools that received the bomb threat email include – Sanskriti School of Chanakyapuri police station area, Mother Mary School in Mayur Vihar of East Delhi, DAV School, Amity School, Pushp Vihar and Saket and Sanskriti School of New Delhi district, among others. Delhi Public School (DPS) of Dwarka, Mathura Road, Vasant Kunj, Noida and Greater Noida were also among the schools that received the bomb threat via email.
