Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 9
With reports of alleged incidents about child kidnappers being apprehended by the public circulating on social media, the Nagaland Police have re-issued caution against falling prey to unsubstantiated reports. The advisory gains significance in the backdrop of two youths falling victim to vigilantism in Karbi Anglong based on rumours.
“Instances of posts on social media have been increasing despite our requests. May I again request everyone to desist and abstain from sharing or posting sensational or unverified news on social media. Please contact us before posting anything,” posted DGP Rupin Sharma on his official Facebook page.
While the post made no mention of the tragic consequences of a social media post and the resultant public hysteria, the DGP cited increasing instances of “unverified and inflammatory posts on social media” over the past 2-3 days warranting caution.
As many as three unverified stories were reported from Dimapur alone on June 8 and 9. When The Morung Express inquired with the Dimapur police, the reports turned out to be factually incorrect versions of actual incidents.
One of the incidents involved a woman, who was reportedly found sleeping on a pavement at 4th Mile on June 8. The police said that the woman, who could barely speak and appeared to be mentally unsound, was later handed over to the Women Helpline.
However, a picture purported to be of the woman started circulating fuelling rumours of a “kidnapper caught.”
The police cited another similar but unrelated incident about a man believed to be mentally unsound, who was found under similar circumstances reportedly at Ao Kashiram.
The third incident, which occurred at 7th Mile on June 9, involved a man being subjected to vigilante (in)justice.
According to the police, one man was apprehended with banned drugs in his possession by the public on Saturday morning at 7th Mile. The allegation against the man was that he had a history of drug abuse and drug peddling, for which he was expelled from 7th Mile a few years back. Some 20 spasmo proxyvon pills were found in his possession.
Stating that the man was handed over to the Chumukedima Police Station by a youth organisation, the police said, “As per the FIR, there was no mention of child kidnapping.” The vigilantes found no mention either.
The Wokha police also issued a press release today advising social media users to verify and authenticate “sensitive information” before sharing. The advisory, the release stated, was with regard to an unverified video and message circulating in WhatsApp about an alleged failed child-lifting incident at Tssori village on June 7. It stated that the incident happened at Phulbari village in Jorhat, Assam wherein two persons allegedly tried to administer anaesthesia on a girl.
The release added that the suspects reportedly fled towards Tssori village following which a search operation was carried out.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur appealed the public to be wary of unconfirmed reports. Stating that the public should not panic in the face of such reports and refrain from taking matters into one’s own hand, the CP said that the police should rather be informed. He called for making use of the emergency toll free number 100 for reporting any incident.
