False Alarm: Tiruvannamalai Collectorate Rocked by Hoax Bomb Threat, Suspect Arrested

A wave of panic swept through the Tiruvannamalai Collectorate on a Friday morning as a chilling bomb threat sent the entire district administration into immediate lockdown. The tranquil government complex was abruptly transformed into a scene of high alert, with officials and members of the public swiftly evacuated as authorities scrambled to address the grave danger.

The alarm was raised around 10:30 AM when a phone call was received, ominously claiming that explosives had been planted within the Collectorate premises and were set to detonate within the hour.

The specificity and urgency of the threat triggered an instant, comprehensive response from law enforcement agencies.

Within minutes, the area was cordoned off, and a massive search operation was launched. Elite units, including the vigilant bomb disposal squad and highly trained dog squads, meticulously combed through every corner of the sprawling complex.

Every office, every corridor, and every public space was scoured with painstaking precision as anxious eyes watched from a safe distance, hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

Hours later, after an exhaustive and thorough search, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the air: no explosives were found.

The terrifying threat was officially declared a hoax, turning the day's drama into a testament to quick action and community resilience, but also highlighting the malicious intent behind such a call.

While the immediate danger was averted, the hunt for the perpetrator began. Special police teams were immediately constituted and put on high alert to trace the anonymous caller.

Leveraging advanced investigative techniques, they swiftly narrowed down their search, eventually identifying the individual responsible for the widespread alarm.

The culprit was identified as C. Kalimuthu, a 39-year-old resident of Athiyandal. Subsequent investigations peeled back the layers of his motive, revealing a startlingly personal reason behind his reckless act.

It emerged that Kalimuthu harbored a deep-seated personal grudge against a Village Administrative Officer (VAO) who worked within the Collectorate. In a misguided attempt to cause disruption and distress, he resorted to making the false bomb threat.

Kalimuthu was promptly apprehended and taken into custody, facing serious charges for his actions.

The incident served as a stark reminder of the resources diverted and public fear generated by such malicious hoaxes, emphasizing the severe consequences awaiting those who misuse emergency services and sow panic within the community.