Days after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked in public, her office on Tuesday received a bomb threat. Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and University College of Medical Science (UCMS) also received bomb threats, which were later declared a hoax. The police said the threats mentioned that RDX, having a one-km blastradius, were planted in the three sites.
After the threats, the home ministry ordered a revamp of Rekha’s security cover.
Now, CRPF will take care of inner cordon while the Delhi Police will be responsible for the outer ring. The two forces under the Union home ministry will jointly work to ensure Z category level protection to the CM at her official residence, during her travel in the national Capital and the rest of the country, they said.
The security detail for Rekha Gupta was reviewed following an attack on her by a man on the morning of August 20 during a public hearing programme at her camp office in the Civil Lines area. Following this, her security was transferred to the CRPF from the Delhi Police on a temporary basis, and later the personnel of the central paramilitary force were withdrawn.
However, a fresh security revamp for the CM has been done after a joint review by central intelligence and security agencies.
The police said the threats mentioned that RDX, having a one-km blast radius, were planted in the three sites. Delhi Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and University College of Medical Science (UCMS) on Tuesday morning received bomb threats.
Immediate and coordinated action was taken under standard operating procedures (SOPs), with bomb detection and disposal teams (BDDT) pressed into service at the three sites. After thorough checking the bomb threats were declared hoax, they said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said, “Around 11 am, information was received from UCMS at GTB Hospital that they have received an email regarding the presence of a bomb in the collage premises.”
Immediately, in accordance with the SOP, college was vacated without creating any panic, he said. The DCP added that the Bomb Dog Squad (BDS) was called and every corner of the building was checked. At 1.30 pm building was declared as cleared from danger and the threat was found to be hoax.
According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), a separate call regarding the threat was also received, following which multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spot as a precautionary measure. DCP (Central) Nidhin Valsan, in a statement, said entire area of MAMC and CM Secretariat was screened. “The email turned out to be hoax. Legal action will be taken.”
“Senior officers, including additional DCP (central), ACP Kamla Market and SHO IP Estate, were present at the Secretariat overseeing anti-sabotage checks. At MAMC, the exercise was being supervised by the additional traffic officer (ATO) of IP EState police station,” he said. Appropriate measures were taken to ensure the safety and security of people present at both locations. There is no cause for panic, the DCP (Central) said.
Earlier, the collage issued a notice stating: “This is to share that the college has received an email regarding bomb threat in college this afternoon. The college is taking all precautionary measures for the safety in this regard. We are therefore, suspending, all the classes for students in the college building; and the students and staff are requested to vacate the college building to ensure safety of all.
This incident follows a spate of hoax threat emails received in several schools and educational institutes in recent months.