Mumbai hotels, malls on ALERT after caller warns of bomb blast amid New Year celebrations

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police on Saturday, December 30, received a threat call claiming that there would be blasts in Mumbai, news agency ANI reported, quoting the the Police Control Room officials. 

An alert has been sounded across the city –  including in hotels and malls –  following the threat call,  and the police has launched an investigation into the matter. 

While searches are still underway at several places in Mumbai, nothing suspicious has been found, so far. 

11,500 Mumbai Police officers deployed as security measure 

Mumbai Police have deployed 11,500 Mumbai Police officers as a security measure considering the threat perception in the city.

Apart from that, a Quick Response team, Riot Control Police and reserved forces of Homeguard will be deployed.

Besides, 22 DCP rank officers will be deployed. Additionally, 2051 Police inspectors and 45 Assistant commissioner of police will be on the streets. 

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary said, "We have deployed more maximum force across the city, Nakabandi will be done across the city to make sure that not drunk and drive takes place, we take all the calls seriously we get on control room, we appeal Mumbaikars to dial 100 number if they spot anything suspicious, or have any issue pertaining to law and order, We wish a very happy and safe New Year and appeal citizens to not to drive if drunk"

Whereas Crime Branch DCP DS Swami, who has additional charge of Anti Narcotics cell said, "We have done the routine security arrangements that we do on every new year eve, We have done blockades Nakabandi on some important passes where we suspect the route of supply of drugs, also Nakabandi is the key where we get hold of people who drink and drive "

“Drugs are a big problem and to deal with this, 12 units of the Crime Branch, 6 units of Anti Narcotics Cell have been deployed. Human intelligence is also being used and preventive action is being taken on that basis," he added.

Caller is mentally unstable: Police

Police have identified the caller, who made a hoax call to police about a bomb in Mumbai, as a mentally unstable man. The police traced the man to Amravati, but no arrest was made as he was found to be mentally unstable, an official from Amravati police said. The 32-year-old man, a resident of Raja Peth, called the 112 emergency helpline number of the state police on Saturday evening, he said. Investigations revealed that the call was made from a mobile phone and its location was traced immediately, he said. The man is mentally unstable and is undergoing psychiatric treatment, the official said.

(Inputs from Sandeep Singh, Mumbai)