Kolkata: West Bengal Police have issued a statement on social media dismissing claims that two persons were killed after being run over by a BDO’s car at Mothabari in Malda during the rescue of judicial officers, terming the reports as fake.
The clarification came after police noticed posts circulating online alleging fatalities linked to the incident.
For over a month, several judicial officers had been engaged in adjudication work under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), involving around 60 lakh voters. At the Kaliachak II BDO office in the Mothabari Constituency, a large crowd gathered on Wednesday and gheraoed the officials. Seven judicial officers, including three women, were held inside the office for several hours.
Later at night, a large police contingent rescued the officials. During the evacuation, a mob allegedly turned violent, vandalising police vehicles and attempting to attack the BDO’s car carrying the judicial officers.
Amid the chaos, rumours spread that two people had been run over by the vehicle. However, police said a fact-check revealed that only a local resident and a police constable sustained minor injuries.
In its social media post, the police stated: “FAKE NEWS!! The news has been verified and found to be false. The situation was handled by the police and no casualties have been reported. One constable and a local who received minor injuries are stable and recovering.”
Police have urged people not to fall prey to unverified rumours and to maintain peace in the area.