The police on Friday arrested a 29-year-old man for reportedly circulating a message through WhatsApp on children being kidnapped from at least five villages.
According to the police, Veeraraghavan, a resident of Rice Mill Street in Purisai in Cheyyar taluk, circulated a video on WhatsApp in which he narrates that a number of children were abducted from a few villages in Cheyyar, Vandavasi, Anakkavoor and Kancheepuram.
He circulated the video on May 2, the police attached to Anakkavoor station said.
R. Ponni, Superintendent of Police, Tiruvannamalai, said the Cybercrime Wing traced the source of the rumour, following which the police tracked Veeraraghavan and arrested him. He was booked under section 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) of the Indian Penal Code.
Following the spread of rumours, there have been a number of attacks on strangers. On May 9, a 65-year-old woman was beaten to death by a group of villagers of Athimoor after they mistook her and four others for child kidnappers. Twenty-three villagers have been arrested in the case.
SP warns of stern action
In a press release issued here, Ms. Ponni said stern action would be taken on those spreading false news on social media. She urged the public not to believe such information. If they came across any suspicious persons, they can contact the office of the Superintendent of Police immediately through the following phone numbers – 94981 00430 (WhatsApp) and 04175-233633.
