The Hindu : Youth held for playing prank

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Youth held for playing prank

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JAN. 6. A 25-year-old youth, who telephoned a school to report that a `bomb' had been planted sparking panic in North Chennai, was traced by the police after investigation.

Police identified the youth as Murugan (25) working at a provision shop in Royapuram.

The JCP (North) C. Sylendra Babu, said Murugan made the call from an STD booth to play a prank. However, as there were many schools with a similar name it sparked rumours in the area.

Anxious parents rushed to schools to take their children away. With the help of the telephone department the call was traced and the accused was secured, Mr. Babu said.

Murugan confessed to the police that he made the call to `watch the police action'. However, police are checking his antecedents and verifying his contacts as a precautionary measure. He has been remanded to judicial custody.

Meanwhile, the police have advised educational institutions to install `caller ID' facility as it would be easier for the police to trace the mischief calls.

Parents have also been advised to be calm as there had been a spate of rumours during the past couple of days.

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