Cops rubbish fake posts ‘aimed at disturbing peace’
Times of India | 3 November 2024
123 Kolkata: Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Police on Saturday took to social media to stop fake propaganda regarding incidents in Narkeldanga, West Port and Lake Town, with some posting misinformation online, "aimed at disturbing peace".
During inaugurations of Kali Puja pandals, the CM had urged everyone to maintain peace.
Of the three incidents in question, one was a fight over bike parking, another was a POCSO case and the third took place when a man entered a pandal and "created mischief", police stated on social media, clarifying that none of the cases had any other connotation.
The state chief secretary on Saturday alerted DMs, SPs and CPs about some people trying to stoke trouble by circulating videos with fake information and urged the force to be extra-vigilant ahead of Jagaddhatri Puja and Chhath. DGP Rajeev Kumar and mayor Firhad Hakim were also present at the meeting. Hakim, too, urged the authorities to keep vigil on any attempt at "stoking communal tensions".
While Kolkata and Bidhannagar cops are probing whether spreading the fake propaganda was an organised effort, they shared the details of the three incidents on social media to allay fears. "An attempt was made to create a fake narrative about the incident at Narkeldanga. No Kali Puja immersion procession was attacked. The issue was related to the parking of a bike, which led to a fight between two individuals that escalated further. However, timely intervention by police brought the situation under control. The Kali Puja immersion procession was completed peacefully," KP wrote.
A few hours later, a similar clarification was issued regarding the West Port case. "The social media claim about the West Port incident misrepresents the facts. The narrative of vandalism at a Kali temple or puja mandap is misleading and unsubstantiated. The conflict arose over a POCSO case, leading to tensions between groups associated with the victim and the accused. Some persons were involved in stone-pelting and vandalism. Police acted swiftly and dispersed the mob while ensuring complete protection of the nearby Kali Puja pandal," police posted.
Cops from the Lake Town police station took to X for clarification. "A mischief was done in a puja pandal of the Lake Town PS area by a local resident, who, taking advantage of the dead of night and the absence of people around, entered the pandal. Strong legal action will be taken against those trying to disturb peace as well as rumour-mongers. Please do not heed mischievous rumours... about the incident," Bidhannagar Police stated.