Mahakumbh 2025: Bomb Threat Before CM Yogi, Rajnath Singh’s Visit Creates Panic

Prayagraj, January 17, 2025

Panic and panic-stricken reaction gripped the Sector 18 of the Mahakumbh mela when a bomb threat emerged on Friday hours before the visit of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. As a result, it led to multiple police units deployed in the region, which include the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), Anti-Sabotage (AS) teams, and the intelligence agencies.

The scare initiated when Navneet, stationed at Sector 18 as a sanitary worker in a municipal corporation, received a threatening call from some unknown number where the caller revealed that a bomb has been planted around the area due to which it compelled Navneet to send an immediate warning to his immediate superiors who activated a whole-scale search, thereby disrupting what otherwise would be a busy fete.

Police teams, assisted by intelligence personnel, combed the sector for several hours. Despite exhaustive efforts, no explosives were found, and the threat was declared a hoax. Authorities have now shifted focus to tracing the caller, whose actions caused significant distress among devotees and officials alike.

The threat came at a time when security arrangements were already being made for the high-profile visit of CM Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday. The entry of police and security forces into Sector 18 created confusion among devotees, who temporarily vacated the area.

Later, officials reassured the public that the heightened security presence was a routine precaution and asked everyone to remain calm.

This has brought into question the misuse of emergency services in an event of such magnitude, where millions of devotees converge. The authorities are determined to identify the caller and take action against them for creating panic unnecessarily.

Despite the scare, preparations for the dignitaries’ visit remain on schedule. Security has been further tightened across the Mahakumbh mela grounds to ensure the safety of visitors and participants.

As the Mahakumbh continues to attract massive crowds, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the challenges of maintaining security at such large-scale events.