In the wake of the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka that claimed 253 lives and injured hundreds, the Bengaluru Police have begun an initiative to include residents of the city in reporting suspicious activities. On Sunday, the Deputy Commissioners of Police of various jurisdictions held meetings with the officers in their limits and instructed them to conduct awareness programme at beat levels.
Speaking to TNM, DCP Whitefield Abdul Ahad said that the beat constables were instructed to visit apartment associations in their respective beats and inform the residents to report any suspicious activities to the police. The beat constables have asked the residents to report any suspicious activities and to also conduct background checks on any new resident moving into the apartment.
“This is being done not to create panic but just as a precautionary measure,” he added. Soon after the police constables began the awareness drive, fake messages began flooding WhatsApp groups in Bengaluru that a group of five people are being suspected of carrying out a terror strike in Bengaluru.
“That is fake news and misinformation is being spread to create panic by some mischief makers. Please do not believe this. We only created the awareness programme as the Police Commissioner had issued an alert a week ago after the Sri Lanka attack,” DCP Abdul Ahad said.
"This is a hoax. All citizens are requested not to circulate / forward such false messages."
— BengaluruCityPolice (@BlrCityPolice) May 6, 2019
ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರು ಈ ತರಹದ ಸುಳ್ಳು ವದಂತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಿವಿಗೊಡದಿರಲು & ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಜಾಲತಾಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳದಿರಲು ಮನವಿ.
“#ಸುಳ್ಳು_ವದಂತಿಗಳನ್ನ_ನಂಬಬೇಡಿ_ಮತ್ತು_ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹಿಸಬೇಡಿ” pic.twitter.com/n3g3ft35GK
“We have given a few examples for the kind of things people should look out for, such as large gatherings and a suspicious bag or box. We have asked them to conduct background checks on any new tenant or residents moving into the apartment. This is being done as the city has been put on alert since the past one week,” says Devappa, a police constable with the Bellandur Police Station.
Residents of Bengaluru, however, said they are waiting for an official letter.
“Yes, the police did reach out to us on Sunday and asked us to coordinate with other apartment associations and create awareness programmes to make residents alert and report suspicious activities in the wake of the Sri Lanka attacks. But we are waiting for an official letter from the Commissioner as we do not want to spread panic," says Kishori, a resident of Bellandur and member of citizens' group Bellandur Jothege.