Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday directed the police to curb the rumours on child kidnappers.
“I request public not to pay heed to rumours on child kidnappers. News of child kidnapper gangs is false. I have asked police forces to be on strict vigil on this issue. I request the public to be responsible and their social media posts shouldn’t create panic and disturbance to the peace-loving society,” the chief minister’s office (CMO) tweeted.
The rumours resulted in a mob lynching 26-year-old Kalu Ram Bachanram from Rajasthan, mistaking him to be a child kidnapper, earlier this week in Chamarajpet, Bengaluru. Over a dozen people were arrested in connection with this case. In another case, the Whitefield police rescued two women - labourers from Uttar Pradesh mistaken to be child kidnappers - from a mob.
Kumaraswamy also directed health officials to take “necessary measures” to prevent the spread of the Nipah virus.
“Awareness is the key to prevent the spread of Nipah. I have directed the Health department to create awareness among the public on the issue. However, there is no need to panic. I have also instructed the department to take all necessary measures to prevent its possible spread,” the CMO said in another tweet.
Nipah virus (NiV) infection is a newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans. The outbreak of Nipah in Kerala has sent shock waves with its impact being felt in Karnataka, where some suspected cases have been reported.
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