Message claims small poison gas bombs installed inside premises; officials find no suspicious objects, alarming salvo signed by a certain ‘Naxalite Jihad Committee’
Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad deployed as a precautionary measure. Pics/Atul Kamble
The Mumbai Press Club received a threat email claiming that poison gas bombs have been planted. While the email was received on Thursday, it was opened on Friday, triggering a thorough search of the building by security agencies.
According to officials, the email was sent by a person named Neeraja Ajmal Khan, who claimed that “42 small poison gas bombs have been installed in Mumbai Press Club, and they will explode.”
Officials search for the planted ‘gas bomb’ inside the Club premises
On Friday, Press Club secretary Mayuresh Ganapatye reported the matter to Azad Maidan Police Station. DCP Zone I, Pravin Munde, was also informed. Following the complaint, teams from the Azad Maidan Police, along with the Cyber Cell, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, and Dog Squad, arrived at the club premises. However, no suspicious object was found during the search.
Thursday
Day the email was received
3000+
No. of members in the Mumbai Press Club
‘Will not be intimidated’
The Mumbai Press Club said in a statement that it “strongly condemns this malicious and alarming threat”. “The Club has always upheld and promoted liberal, secular, and democratic values and has consistently stood against all forms of extremism and violence. With a membership of over 3000 journalists, the Mumbai Press Club will not be intimidated by such threats and remains committed to its principles,” it stated.
What was in the email?
The threat email made political claims in the message and stated that the bombs were planted with the help of Maoists and Pakistani secret cells.
Excerpts from email
. We, the Muslims of Coimbatore, have learned a harsh truth: [Stalin] Udhayanidhi’s [Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu] cunning family used us as a mere vote bank and punished us in the name of protecting us.
. Leaders who supported DMK in the last election have now been arrested under ‘UAPA’ by the same Udhayanidhi whom we had supported.
. With the help of Naxalites and secret cells linked to Pakistan in Coimbatore, we only had enough resources to blow up three to four buildings. We never imagined we would have to use them, because we were confident you would help us expose the DMK government. We thought at least other states like Madhya Pradesh weren’t under the DMK’s thrall.
. You too are living off Udhayanidhi’s money. Therefore, we’ve used the bomb resources at your Press Club office.
. Intent is to cause property damage; please evacuate everyone safely.
. Signed by ‘Long live the Naxalite Jihad Committee!’
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