Tension gripped parts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as multiple government offices and a school received hoax bomb threats, triggering panic and emergency security responses.
In Coimbatore, a letter claiming that bombs had been planted in the District Collectorâs office caused alarm among staff and visitors. The threat, allegedly sent by someone using the name Muthukumarasami from Tenkasi, prompted immediate action. Race Course police and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) conducted an extensive search across the collectorate premises using sniffer dogs. However, no explosives were found.
Police later traced Muthukumarasami, who denied sending the letter and claimed ignorance. It is suspected that someone misused his name due to personal enmity. Investigations revealed the letter was posted from Alangulam in Tenkasi. This marks the second such incident at the Coimbatore Collectorâs office, which previously received a bomb threat via email in Mayâalso confirmed to be a hoax. Police are still searching for the culprits.
Similarly, Salem Collectorâs office also received a bomb threat, which turned out to be false after a thorough search by police and BDDS personnel.
In Tiruchy, three locationsâthe District Collectorate, the Corporation office, and a private schoolâreceived threatening emails claiming powerful bombs were planted on their premises. Police teams and BDDS units rushed to all three spots and carried out intensive inspections. All threats were declared to be hoaxes.
One of the affected institutions, Mahatma Gandhi Centenary Vidyalaya in Tennur, declared a holiday soon after receiving the threat and alerted police. Concerned parents rushed to pick up their children as the school was thoroughly checked by bomb squads.
The series of hoax threats have raised concerns about public safety and the misuse of emergency services. Police investigations are underway to identify the source of these emails and letters.