Bomb threats force top Chennai schools to shut early

The note cautioned parents not to panic and to cooperate towards ensuring a smooth dispersal. It said that school transportation facilities wouldn't be available.

Meanwhile, chaotic scenes were witnessed in the neighbourhoods surrounding these schools as hundreds of worried parents left their offices and homes to pick up their children.

Traffic congestion was apparent in these neighbourhoods, too, as life was thrown out of gear. The Tamil Nadu Police's bomb disposal squads were deployed to check for explosive devices. No explosives have been discovered thus far.

A statement by the Greater Chennai Police confirmed that email threats were received by multiple schools within city limits. "Greater Chennai, Police Bomb Device Disposal Squad teams have been sent for anti-sabotage checks in these educational institutions, and action is being taken to identify the culprit who sent these emails," read a statement by the police.

"We were informed about an emergency and asked to calmly disperse from our class," recounted a student at DAV Boys' School, Gopalapuram, after leaving the campus, "We were not told about a bomb or anything like that." Schools and the police alike have since, the threats, been exhorting parents and students not to panic.

As of Thursday afternoon, these schools have their premises thoroughly checked for explosives by the bomb disposal squad, with no devices discovered. Meanwhile, the Greater Chennai Police has said it intends to find out why the threats were sent and who sent them.