On Monday morning, Delhi was thrown into a state of shock and fear as more than 40 schools received bomb threat emails, each demanding a ransom of $30,000 to prevent explosives from detonating on their premises. Authorities acted swiftly, evacuating students and staff as a precautionary measure to protect their lives. The nature of the threats prompted immediate action from both school administrations and law enforcement, triggering widespread panic throughout the city.
Delhi Public School in RK Puram and GD Goenka Public School in Paschim Vihar were the first to report receiving the threats. The emails claimed that small bombs had been planted in concealed locations within the school buildings. While the threats suggested that the bombs would not cause major structural damage, they warned that the detonations could still result in serious injuries.
One of the emails, sent at 11:38 PM on December 8, read: “I have planted several bombs inside the school buildings. They are small and well-concealed. The explosions are unlikely to cause significant damage to the buildings, but they could result in numerous injuries when they go off. If I do not receive $30,000, I will set off the bombs.” The message raised immediate concerns about the legitimacy of the threat, particularly about the safety of the students and staff.
Following the initial reports, other well-known schools such as Mother Mary’s School, the British School, Salwan Public School, and Cambridge School also received similar bomb threats. According to the Delhi Police, an investigation has been launched to trace the source of the emails and apprehend those responsible for this alarming situation.
Mother Mary’s School responded swiftly by notifying parents and directing the evacuation of students. A message sent to parents read: “We received a bomb threat email this morning. As a precaution, students are being sent home immediately. Parents are asked to pick up their children from their designated bus stops. Bus Route Incharges will provide ongoing updates regarding bus movements.”
In response to the bomb threats, Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi sharply criticized the central government, accusing it of neglecting its responsibility to maintain law and order. She expressed deep concern over the growing frequency of such threats, asserting, “Delhi is grappling with daily ransom demands, shootings, and now bomb threats targeting schools. The law and order situation has deteriorated to alarming levels. The BJP-led central government has failed the people of Delhi.”
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared similar concerns, criticizing the deteriorating security situation. He stated, “The people of Delhi have never experienced such a total collapse of law and order. Amit Shah must speak to the public and clarify how the government intends to address the escalating sense of insecurity.”
This wave of bomb threats has left many Delhi residents questioning the efficacy of current security measures and the vulnerability of public institutions to such attacks. With the frequency of similar incidents rising, there are growing fears about the capacity of law enforcement to effectively respond to evolving threats.
Although the swift actions of the authorities ensured the safety of students and staff, the incident highlights an ongoing issue with public safety. While the investigation is ongoing, this episode underscores the need for stronger, more proactive measures to safeguard educational institutions and other public spaces from such dangerous threats. The question on everyone’s mind remains: Is this isolated, or is Delhi facing a broader, more troubling trend that could destabilize the city’s security in the future?
