Act firmly against pranksters causing alarm

Representation pic

Fraud alarms that may result in disaster need to be dealt with in the strictest way. Recently, a passenger allegedly spread a false bomb alert on a train at a station in Lucknow, all because he failed to get a seat, according to news agencies. This infantile false alarm triggered panic among commuters and a security check by multiple agencies, the police said.

To give this some context, the accused, a resident of Telangana, did so after he could not find a place to sit in the train, according to the Lucknow police. Some reports claimed he shouted: bomb, bomb. Others said he spread a rumour. Whatever the modus operandi, the point is that he triggered a false alert.

Following the alert, there was a detailed search of the train and all its coaches.

No suspicious object or explosive material was found during the check. The train was later declared safe and allowed to continue its journey. The accused has been taken into custody by the police.

It is shocking that people think sparking fear about bombs is some kind of trivial matter. We have so many examples of hoax calls to the cops. Bomb written on aeroplane toilet mirrors, emails sent to authorities, the list is long.

The pranksters or false alarm instigators must realise that this is not simply an inconvenience. The alarm means delays, money spent on checking and at times, cancellation of transport services. Those who do this for cheap thrills need to find something to do in life. Take strong punitive action. This is not fun, a shortcut to some kind of fame, or forgivable.