Delhi Schools Evacuated After Hoax Bomb Threat
In an unprecedented event of alarm, more than 150 schools across Delhi-NCR received a uniform threatening email on Wednesday, alleging the presence of explosives on their premises. This led to widespread evacuations and searches as anxious parents hurried to retrieve their children. Authorities conducted searches but found nothing objectionable, ultimately declaring it a hoax. Officials suspect a broader conspiracy by a terrorist group, potentially linked to ISIS, particularly concerning the Lok Sabha elections.
The Delhi Police's anti-terror unit has traced the email domain to Russia, indicating possible involvement with the dark web-an encrypted online platform facilitating anonymity. Law enforcement agencies are considering a pan-India investigation, with the National Investigation Agency potentially taking over due to suspicions of terrorist involvement. The situation prompted a rapid response from police and fire services, inundated with calls from schools early Wednesday. Several prominent schools, including Delhi Public School (Mathura Road), DPS (Saket), Sanskriti School, Amity School (Saket), DAV (Model Town), DPS (Dwarka) and St. Mary School (Mayur Vihar) were among those targeted. Parents received alarming messages from school authorities, prompting swift evacuations coordinated with police searches using sniffer dogs. Despite the scale of the threat affecting numerous schools, authorities remain vigilant, with investigations ongoing. Enhanced security measures have been implemented across transportation hubs and markets in the capital. Vivek Gupta, whose son studies in Class 12th in DPS-Dwarka, said, "My son had left for his extra classes at 6.30 am. Around 8 am, we received a message about a threat e-mail.” Anita Aggarwal, a parent provided, "The school authorities asked the parents whose children travel by private taxis to get them picked while those who come in school buses were being sent back." Saurabh Tiwari, whose daughters study in two different schools in Dwarka, said students were evacuated by teachers. Several schools said they were able to carry out a swift evacuation of the students and staff, but dealing with the parents was a challenge. Some schools also said they plan to issue a circular for parents, outlining the standard operating procedure to guide them on how to react in adverse situations like these.
The incident has spurred schools to reassess their emergency protocols, considering issuing guidelines to parents for responding to similar threats in the future. While no suspicious objects were found, the ordeal underscores the need for robust preparedness and coordination among stakeholders. In response to the threat, the Delhi government issued an advisory to schools, urging timely monitoring of official email communications. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has assured strict punishment for those responsible, as the investigation progresses.
A day etched in the memories of schools across the National Capital Region (NCR), May 1st witnessed a hoax threatening email received by 200-300 schools. The news spread like wildfire, dominating headlines and social media feeds. Parents, gripped by fear, rushed to their wards’ schools, regardless of whether the school had indeed received the ominous message.
At the helm of school leadership, my primary concern was the safety and security of each individual within the premises of DIS Edge. The panic that permeated the public compelled us to take immediate action, initiating evacuation and early dispersal of children. In this critical moment, we owe the smooth execution of our emergency protocols to the prompt action and seamless coordination of our disaster management team.
1. Preparedness Pays Off: Our mock drills, conducted diligently in the past, ensured that all children moved out swiftly and without chaos. The disciplined manner in which they exited the premises reflected the effectiveness of our preparedness measures.
2. Parent Cooperation: We extend our heartfelt gratitude to parents who cooperated with the school during this crisis. They entered the premises in small batches, allowing for proper verification and the safe handover of their children. Their calm demeanor contributed significantly to maintaining order.
3. Unsung Heroes: From the Didis and Bhaiyas to the security staff, teachers and administrative team, every member played a crucial role. Their dedication ensured that our evacuation process remained efficient and organized.
4. Civil Agencies and Law Enforcement: The swift action of civil agencies and law enforcement personnel deserves commendation. Police officers visited multiple times, ensuring a smooth process. The bomb squad meticulously frisked the school, doubly ensuring safety. Their professionalism prevented chaos and potential harm.
5. Media Responsibility: In such situations, the role of the media is pivotal. Responsible reporting helps prevent unnecessary panic. We appreciate the media’s efforts to disseminate accurate information and maintain calm.
6. Mass Sensitization: This incident underscores the need for mass sensitization. All stakeholders-students, schools, parents, and authorities-must be aware of clear dos and don’ts during emergencies. Preparedness and a sturdy system are fundamental to judicious actions.
Together, we can and we will ensure the safety of our educational institutions. Let this serve as a reminder that crisis management is a life skill and a collective effort-one that transcends panic and fosters resilience.
Ms. Anubha Srivastava, Principal
Delhi International School Edge, Sector 18
We live in a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Adapting to the new situation swiftly and effectively is the key but it comes with a bunch of challenges. The schools in Delhi witnessed one such incident of hoax bomb threat on Wednesday morning that created absolute pandemonium disrupting the functioning of the schools. After the news was out, many parents started making random calls and flocking outside the school gates in large numbers. They created utter chaos displaying zero patience and tolerance. Moreover, the dispersal of the students became a real challenge as the parents had blocked the entrances demanding their children. It is understood their concern was genuine but such emergencies can be dealt effectively only when adults behave responsibly without causing panic and fear among themselves. The parents must understand that the schools will make best efforts to ensure the safety of all students. In these testing times, we expect full cooperation from the parents as working in tandem will be in the best interest of the students. Indulging in unnecessary confrontations with the teachers and administrative authorities will only make the situation worse. One wrong step could lead to many untoward situations. In addition to this, the turmoil created could jeopardize the emotional and mental well-being of the children. It is imperative to understand that preparedness for emergencies in school is very different from other locations. Collaboration and cooperation is the key as it goes a long way in dealing with any urgency. This unfortunate incident must serve as a lesson to all the stakeholders to be better prepared for any unanticipated emergency in future. The police squads reached school only to instruct without much preparation themselves. There were neither bomb diffusing squads nor trained sniffer dogs accompanying them.
Such unforeseen incidents need extraordinary measures. Along with fire and earthquake drills, schools must organize drills for emergencies like this. A proper plan should be charted out to not only evacuate the students from the school building but also ensure their swift dispersal from different exit points. The plan should be shared with parents giving them specific instructions to avoid any confusion. Workshops, orientations and counselling sessions should be organized for the parents to instill in them the desired behaviour in these dire circumstances.
Ms. Sheelu Mathew, St. Mary's School
Dr. Sudha Acharya, Principal, ITL Public School
The response of the crime branch, Delhi police and intelligence agencies is also appreciated. They acted as per the situation. The human mind is probably attuned to imagining the worst. This trait probably helps in taking all situations seriously and being ready with the required response. But it can also lead to negative thoughts clouding our judgement. Mahatma Buddha also said that we should have a time lag between a stimulus and its response. Reactions are instant like a reflex action.
However, psychologists say that analysing a situation calmly and then responding is the essence of maintaining good mental health. Thus parents who acted calmly realised that the threat seems to be fake and did not rush to schools. They also trusted the schools. Most schools have a disaster management response team that helps in being prepared for emergencies and helps in mitigating suffering in trying times. Sri Venkateshwar International School had organised two first aid and CPR trainings and an evacuation drill in April. The National Disaster Management team also trained students and staff of Senior Wing in meeting emergencies. We at SVIS feel that real education is providing life skills to children and through them reach out to the community.
Ms. Nita Arora, Director
Sri Venkateshwar International School, Sector-18
1 May. 2024 was a day of panic, fear, chaos and utmost concern for the majority of Delhi schools including ours. Thousands of parents rushed to our school to pick up their wards and the urgency was so intense that it was a massive challenge to hand over each child to his/her parents safely. Evacuating thousands of students all of a sudden put the entire machinery of school into a frenzy. But, sensing the gravity of the situation, The Management, Teachers and Helping Staff immediately geared up and got into action for streamlining the swift evacuation of the building, keeping the chaos and panic in control, attending to non-stop phone calls of parents and trying to assure the parent that their child was safe. But in reality, it was not as easy as it seems! However, our students are well educated and trained towards such unprecedented dangers. Students are regularly instructed to be alert about their surroundings. They are taught not to touch any strange, suspicious or unidentified object. Rather, they must inform any trusted person or adult available. Students must be reminded about the safety measures to be taken at home, school or any other place if they come across such emergencies. Students and the staff must be given the confidence that if they use their presence of mind and seek immediate assistance from reliable sources, they will be safe. They should also be advised that they must not panic and run around. The school regularly conducts Mock Drills and Special Assemblies on such incidents to make the students aware, alert and confident and to guide them on how to react in adverse situations. In order to ensure fool proof security in the school, the entire building was thoroughly checked and sanitised by The Bomb Squad Team of Delhi Police today afternoon.
Ms. R. L. Saroha, MD, Paramount International School, Sector 23
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