Bomb Threats: Five BDS, 18 Detection Teams Deployed, Delhi Police to HC

In response to a plea concerning the threat of bomb attacks on schools in the national capital, the city police informed the Delhi High Court that there are a total of five bomb disposal squads (BDS) and 18 bomb detection teams serving over the 4,600 schools in the area.

The Delhi Police, in a status report submitted to the court, stated that guidelines were issued last year to address bomb threats to schools, and an order appointing nodal officers for the deployment of BDS in case of such threats has been issued.

Ensuring Safety in School

The report mentioned that 120 mock drills were conducted in schools between January 1, 2023, and May 6 of this year. Previously, Justice Subramonium Prasad had sought the police to provide details of measures taken to ensure the safe evacuation of school children in the event of a bomb threat, with minimal reliance on parents.

Additionally, the court sought data on the number of schools in each zone, the relevant nodal authority in each zone, and the number of mock drills conducted.

Petitioner Arpit Bhargava, a lawyer, filed the petition in 2023 following a hoax bomb threat to the Delhi Public School (DPS), Mathura Road. According to the latest report, the police stated that one BDS is located in each of the Central, East, New Delhi, and South ranges, covering 1764, 1032, 76, and 1762 schools, respectively. Additionally, there is one squad within the railways and metro unit range.

The report outlined, “There are 18 Bomb Detection Teams (BDT), one stationed in each of the 15 districts, and one each for the IGI Airport, Railway Unit, and Metro Unit. The reporting authority for the BDT is the concerned district DCP or Unit DCP. 120 mock drills have been conducted in schools from 01.01.2023 to 06.05.2024.”

It further noted that a detailed Standard Operating Procedure for Bomb Disposal Squads & Bomb Detection Teams was issued in 2021, and nodal officers would respond to threat calls accordingly. Legal actions to be taken in the case of hoax calls and guidelines to be followed in the event of bomb threats were clarified in July of last year.

Roles & Responsibilities

As per the guidelines, the police outlined the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders—police, fire department, and school authorities—in the event of bomb threats. After assessing the threat call, the local police are required not only to reach the location but also to engage BDTs, the fire department, traffic police, disaster management teams, as well as ambulances and hospitals to handle the situation. Special cell teams will investigate the terror angle behind the threat call, and proper law and order shall be maintained.

Directorate of Education

The Directorate of Education (DoE), in its status report, reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy” regarding safety in schools and affirmed that its officials are diligently working to ensure the effective implementation of guidelines for dealing with disasters, including bomb threats. The DoE stated that it has issued several directives to institutions, urging them to enhance safety and security measures, as mentioned in a circular dated April 16 concerning precautionary efforts and the role of school authorities in cases of bomb threats.

The matter is scheduled for hearing next week.

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