Nagpur: A day after several schools received emails threatening bomb attacks, the city police directed them to ramp up anti-sabotage measures, keep security guards on high alert and train staff in handling threats. School authorities have been advised to accord top priority to safety of students.This is the first time police have formally instructed schools in Nagpur commissionerate area to build in-house expertise in anti-sabotage protocols with a standard operating procedure (SOP) in place.The CP’s office has directed continuous monitoring and enhanced patrolling around educational institutions. Sources said the police communication stresses the need for schools to treat security as a core responsibility rather than a routine formality. Guards have been asked to remain extra vigilant at gates, parking areas, boundary walls and all entry-exit points. Use of metal detectors, like hand-held and door-frame ones, would also be advised, said sources.Staff have been told to conduct visual anti-sabotage checks of classrooms, toilets, staff rooms, playgrounds and surrounding areas before students arrive each morning and to report any unidentified or unattended objects immediately.Police issued the letters in view of recent terrorist threats, including emails that threatened to bomb around 20 schools, NMC headquarters, mayor’s office, RSS shakhas and court on Tuesday. The messages, written in English and Punjabi and claiming Khalistani links, mentioned timed blasts and warned of further action on Aug 31.Over 600 police personnel, bomb disposal squads and dog teams conducted intensive four-hour searches. Though the threat turned out to be a hoax, cops want schools to maintain vigil throughout the year. Random checks by police will continue in the coming days even as the city stays under extra security cover.CP Vishwas Nangre Patil and Jt CP Navinchandra Reddy are likely to address representatives from school managements during a meeting at Police Bhavan on Thursday.“Schools have been urged to coordinate with their local police stations and ensure no student or staff member approaches suspicious items,” said Jt CP Reddy. On Tuesday, Reddy had urged schools to remain on high alert for the next few days and follow SOPs.Cops working with Google to trace email sourceCyber police have registered an offence and are working with Google to trace the email’s origin, which is believed to have used a VPN. “We are working on some links,” said DCP crime Deepak Aggarwal.
