DAINIK NATION BUREAU
Section 144 was enforced in Rudraprayag tehsil, including Agustmuni town, on Saturday by the district administration, after angry crowds indulged in arsoning over a fake post that became viral on the social media. Police has lodged three FIR and dozens of people have been arrested so far. Even police investigation is on to zero people, whosoever were involved or shared the post on their facebook or whatsapp. Police has appealed that if you are receiving anything which can disturb the peace of the state then you first verify with district administration otherwise you would be booked as per the law. This was disclosed by the Garhwal DIG Pushpak Jyoti while interacting with media person at his office on saturday.
According to the police, the fake post claiming that a girl belonging to a particular community was raped by persons belonging to another community became viral on the social media and was circulated on Thursday evening in Agustmuni town. He further said that suddenly a crowd came to the police and took law and order on their hand. Although he refused to accept that it was intelligence failure of local intelligence unit (LIU).
On Friday, a majority of college students gathered outside the police station and demanded action. Later, anti-social elements ransacked and set shops in Agustmuni, Vijaynagar and Ganganagar towns, on fire.
“No incident of rape occurred and we have registered three separate cases and five persons have been arrested. The police are on a look-out for some more persons. In view of the tense situation, the police undertook a flag march asking people not to pay heed to rumours,” said Jyoti added.
Jyoti reiterated that police would take strict action against persons spreading rumours through social media. The incidents of inciting people by posting false messages on social media are increasing in the state and strict action will be taken against such persons.