Bomb hoax at Alka theatre fails to stop film festival's opening

A few tense moments were witnessed at Alka Theatre on Friday when the police control room (PCR) received a call about the bomb-like suspicious object found in the theatre just before the inauguration of Marathi and Hindi Film Festival. State ministers and many dignitaries were present at the function.

The team of bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) that was summoned to the spot later confirmed that it was a hoax call after checking the premises.

The state department of culture has organized the film festival to mark the centenary year of Indian Cinema.

State minister of cultural affairs Sanjay Deotale, minister of state Fauzia Khan and other VVIPs as well as noted directors Govind Nihalani, Amol Palekar and others were present.

Before the VVIPs arrived, the programme had already started and the first film by Late Dadasaheb Phalke was screened after which the information about the phone call came and the theater was vacated immediately.

According to the police, around 11 am the Pune police control room (PCR) had received a call from an unidentified person saying that a bomb-like object has been spotted in a theatre. The police control room aired a message to BDDS. Speaking to the media, senior inspector Arjun Sakunde of Vishrambagh police station said, “It was a crank call. We think it is a mischievous act. The call received by PCR was made from a Uninor SIM card. We will register a case soon.

@DNA