In the wake of several incidents of mob attacks on strangers, including mentally-disoriented persons, in the last few weeks, the Vellore police have issued a stern warning to people against spreading rumours or taking law into their own hands.
“People who spread false news or rumours will be considered as anti-social elements and will be booked under the relevant law. Those who try to create law and order problems or disturb public peace will be identified and will face serious action,” said P. Pakalavan, Superintendent of Police, Vellore.
The warning comes after a series of incidents in which people have assaulted men and women assuming them to be robbers or child-lifters. In one incident, a man, aged about 30 years, was beaten to death in Gudiyatham on April 28. Similarly, a mentally-disoriented woman was beaten up in Bagayam.
Similar incidents were reported in Ranipet and Vellore taluk police station limits on Wednesday. In Vellore taluk limit, police arrested three men – Murthy, 42, of Reddiapalayam, Venkatesan, 35, and Vijayan, 52, of Kathalampattu, Lakshmipuram for assaulting a mentally-disoriented man, mistaking him for a kidnapper.
“Public should not believe rumours and should seek police help to verify information passed on through Whatsapp or social media. Such messages can be forwarded to us so that it can be verified. Those spreading rumours will be liable for punishment,” he cautioned.
Any person, who as an individual or in a group, resorts to violence and assaults strangers will face stringent action, he said, adding, “Such offences will not be tolerated. They need to call the police or hand over such persons to the police without harming them. If they beat or injure them, they will face serious action. They should not take law into their hands.”
Seven reported incidents
Mr. Pakalavan said that so far, there have been seven such incidents in Vellore. “About 40 persons have been arrested. In the Gudiyatham case, we have booked eight persons for murder. We have booked a few for attempt to murder in three other incidents,” he added. He urged the public not to panic as such news were merely rumours.
Following the lynching incident in Tiruvannamalai, the district police have urged the people to approach the nearest police station or contact police officers on their phones. R. Ponni, Superintendent of Police, Tiruvannamalai, has directed the police to create awareness in all villages falling under the respective police station limit.
Collector K.S. Kandasamy, in a press release, said that the police will be distributing pamphlets and spreading awareness through public addressing system throughout the district. Stringent action will be taken against those who spread false information through the social platform, he said.
