WEB DESK: In response to escalating bomb threats targeting Indian airlines, X, formerly known as Twitter, has committed to tackling terror threats made on its platform.
A spokesperson from X stated, “We prohibit violent threats on X and take all reports seriously,” emphasizing their ongoing efforts to enhance user safety in India.
The announcement follows a series of alarming incidents, prompting the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to accuse X of “abetting” the spread of false alarms. During a recent virtual meeting with representatives from various airlines and social media platforms, including Meta, Joint Secretary Sanket S. Bhondve underscored the need for X to clarify its measures to prevent the spread of dangerous rumors.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu reaffirmed the government’s dedication to passenger safety, warning that those responsible for spreading hoax threats could face severe repercussions, including being placed on no-fly lists. The government is also considering amendments to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation Act, enabling legal action for offenses occurring on the ground, which current laws do not adequately address.
When asked about the potential motivations behind the surge in threats, Naidu confirmed that a thorough investigation is ongoing. He stated, “Without investigation, we cannot establish a pattern… let us wait for the completion of the investigation.” While acknowledging that many threats have been identified as hoaxes, he stressed that they must be taken seriously. Enhanced security measures, such as increased CCTV surveillance at airports, are being implemented.
In a related incident, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has warned passengers to avoid Air India flights between November 1 and 19, coinciding with the anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots.
Proposed changes to the 1982 Civil Aviation Act include provisions for the immediate arrest and investigation of suspects without court orders, along with mandatory placement of offenders on no-fly lists.
A police investigation into a recent threat has revealed that a detained 17-year-old intended to frame another individual due to a business dispute. In response, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has ordered stricter measures at airports, including secondary inspections at boarding points and more comprehensive screenings for hand baggage.
The threats have led to significant disruptions; on a recent Tuesday, social media platforms received bomb threats targeting 59 Indian flights, marking the ninth consecutive day of aviation security alerts. IndiGo Airlines was particularly affected, receiving 23 threats, which forced the diversion of several flights.
Despite the threats being assessed as non-specific by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the heightened security response is aimed at ensuring the safety of all passengers traveling in and out of India.
