A threat call made on Thursday morning to the helpline of a Government Railway Police that a bomb placed in a particular compartment in the Mayiladuturai – Tiruchi express train will explode upon its arrival turned out to be a hoax.
The GRP authorities immediately alerted the Railway Protection Force. The Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad of the RPF were assisted by another team of the city police. Sniffer dogs were pressed into service and all the compartments were thoroughly checked.
Passengers were permitted inside the train at around 12.30 p.m., about half an hour before the train’s scheduled departure. However, three compartments: S9 to S11, were sealed.
According to senior RPF officials, passengers waiting at the stations en route to board the train were also frisked before being let in.
