Bomb hoax sends Nabanna into tizzy, accused arrested

Tension gripped Nabanna on Thursday afternoon after the officials received an anonymous phone call claiming that a bomb had been planted in the state secretariat.

However, nothing was found after carrying out a thorough search at the 14-storey building that houses the office of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The police have also arrested the accused, who have been identified as Biswajit Saha. 

Saha, 35, is a resident of Regent Park and he was arrested from central Kolkata. Police have started interrogating Saha to ascertain whether he had any ulterior motive or he made the call just for fun.

It may be mentioned that Banerjee was present in Nabanna when an official received the call at PBX. He immediately rushed to the officer-in-charge of Nabanna and reported that an anonymous caller had claimed that a bomb has been planted somewhere in the building.  

Around 2.30 pm, additional policemen and dog squad of Kolkata Police reached the building. People in the area were surprised after they noticed bomb squad at Nabanna.        

Usually the bomb disposal squads of Kolkata Police frisk each and every floor of Nabanna every day before the office hour. However, everyone was surprised when the operation took place during the office hours.

The officials of the bomb disposal squad were found taking out the coverings of electric wearing in the corridors to find out whether a bomb was planted. 

Around six sniffer dogs were brought inside the building. The officers have even search under the tables placed on the corridor and above the false ceilings using search lights.

A large number of officials came out of their chambers after they found officers carrying out search operations. After searching all the floors, the team went up to the terrace and conducted a search operation.

The officers instructed the sniffer dogs to check inside the flower vases placed outside the offices of top officials. Offices including canteen and sections of each department have been checked thoroughly.

Security personnel posted outside the offices of ministers and senior officials were not allowing any visitor to carry a bag. The search operation continued till 5 pm but the officers did not find any suspicious item inside the building. 

Senior police officers of the Special Task Force and Special Branch went to Nabanna and held a high level meeting with senior police officers who remain posted there.

In the evening, police arrested Saha, who had allegedly made the call and claimed that a bomb has been planted in Nabanna. 

“Whatever the reason may be, necessary steps will be taken against Saha so that no one in future will try to spread panic at such an important installation,” said a senior police officer.