Cell phones ring as rumors fly

BANGALORE: The techie heartland, which has been receiving hoax phone calls and fax messages warning of explosions, today received another message, but from the city police commissioner.

In a bid to stop rumors from spreading, the police sent out an SMS text message asking Bangaloreans not to panic.

The message dismissed reports of an impending terrorist attack as rumor.

“There was no untoward incidents in Bangalore. Information about terrorist planning to attack the city is a rumor. Please don't panic,” the SMS said.

Incidentally, wireless communication technology is fast becoming an effective tool for socio-political mobilization, besides other purposes.

The 2004 Lok Sabha elections had seen the wide use of this technology. A recorded voice of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had then requested mobile phone users to vote for his party. SMS messages were also widely used to woo the voters.

Meanwhile in Bangalore, hoax bomb calls had created panic here on Friday, with police searching three colleges, a software firm and two malls.

Wednesday's shootout at the Indian Institute of Science here had triggered a spate of hoax calls, pressurizing the over-burdened police force.

The police, had on Thursday, received a fax message, from someone who called himself Moinuddin, which warned of two explosions in Bangalore - one at a five star hotel and another at the chief minister's residence - on New Year's Eve.

Police have taken precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents. The army's quick response team will assist the police.

Incidentally, Bangalore receives at least two bomb hoax calls every month.