“After receiving the call, I informed the local police, who sent the bomb disposal squad,” said Principal Sanjib Chandra Ghosh.

He said classes were suspended as the students had to vacate all the rooms for the search operation.

The search by the bomb disposal squad continued till late in the afternoon as the team checked each and every corner of the main building, Derozio Building, Netaji Subhas Building, Baker Laboratories and the college canteen. Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service.

“However, nothing was found. Someone must have played a prank,” said Ajay Ranade, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central).

Although many students left the college early, anxious parents kept calling their children and the college. The situation returned to normal after some time and the 39th reunion of the geography department was held according to schedule on the college premises.

“On reaching the College Street at 11.30 am, I learnt from shopkeepers that the college premises were being searched by police for explosives,” said Amitabha Mitra, a second-year student of statistic department.

“We are trying to locate the call and the caller. But it will take some time,” Ranade added.