Section of political parties spreading rumours: CM

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on social media on Thursday that a section of political parties along with people holding constitutional positions were indulging in rumour-mongering and spreading hatred.

Urging people to maintain calm Banerjee tweeted: "One section of political parties/groups along with people holding constitutional positions indulging in rumor mongering, spreading hatred with dangerous statements. Even journalists are not spared. This is shameless politics. What levels of polluted politics have we descended to?"

Police officers are requesting people not to get swayed by rumour and take laws in their own hand.

The cops have warned of stringent action against those who would be caught for spreading rumors.

The officers are distributing leaflets and requesting people to get in touch with them if they find anyone loitering aimlessly in their area. The police are also keeping tabs on the social media.

Police officers through the public address system are requesting people not to get swayed by the rumor that child-lifters are kidnapping kids from their homes to kill them.

In areas of Kasba, Tollygunge, Bansdroni, Bhowanipore and Ballygunge police officers went in every locality urged people to maintain cool. It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed all police officers to take strong action against rumor mongers.

In Anandapur, local residents beat up a youth on the suspicion of being a thief. A police team went to the spot and rescued the youth.

In Belur, another youth was beaten up on Tuesday night on the suspicion of being a child-lifter. Police rescued him and admitted him to Howrah District Hospital where his condition is stated to be critical.

At Deganga, in north 24-Parganas two youths were beaten up suspecting them to be child-lifters.

The police said they had failed to arrest those who had beaten up the youths. In all these cases anonymous callers have informed the police of the incidents and the police rescued the youths.

Professor D Banerjee, a teacher in Psychology, said: "The way rumors are being spread, people are scared and they are beating up people out of fear and suspicion. People are feeling insecure and more intense campaign is required to win back the confidence of people."

It may be mentioned that after resuming the post of Commissioner of Kolkata Police, Anuj Sharma, said protection had been given to the Kashmiriris who are "safe and secure in Kolkata."