By IANS,
Hyderabad : Bomb threat at four public places, including the railway station and the passport office, here Tuesday caused panic among people but the call later turned out to be a hoax.
The police said they received a call from an anonymous person that bombs were planted at four places in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad.
Police teams with the help of bomb disposal and dog squads conducted thorough searches and to their relief found that it was a hoax.
The anonymous caller informed the police control room that bombs were planted at the Secunderabad Railway Station, the Regional Passport Office, the Rethifil Bus Stand and an eatery, and that they could go off at any time.
The control room alerted the police, which rushed to the areas to conduct searches. This caused panic among hundreds of commuters and the passport applicants.
After a thorough check for over two hours, the police declared that it was hoax.
The police officials said they did not want to take any chances after receiving the calls as the city suffered three bomb blasts last year, claiming over 50 lives.
Ramchander, additional superintendent of police-city security, told newspersons that the police would take stern action after tracing the anonymous caller.
The call was received close on the heels of intelligence reports warning of terrorist attacks in the city.
Last week, a similar call was made about a bomb being planted at the state secretariat, housing the offices of the chief minister and the ministers, but it also proved a hoax.
A bomb blast during Friday prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid May 18 last year claimed nine lives. Twin blasts at a public park and an eatery three months later August 25 killed 44 people.