A security guards checks the bag of a visitor at the Passport Bhavan in Patto on Monday.
PANAJI
A bomb threat email sent to the Passport Bhavan at Patto early on Monday triggered a security scare in the city, though authorities later confirmed it was a hoax.
Officials said the email was received around 4 am, warning of a possible blast and asking that the premises be evacuated by 11 am. The police, bomb disposal squad and fire personnel immediately swung into action, evacuating the building and sealing off the area for a thorough check.
As a precaution, applicants were frisked before being allowed to enter the premises at their scheduled appointment times, police added.
After the search, Inspector Paresh Navelkar said no suspicious object was found during the operation and the premises were declared safe. Normal operations at the passport office resumed thereafter.
