In an incident that is causing the Kerala police huge embarrassment, a fake statement carrying an emblem similar to that of the Kerala police has been circulating on WhatsApp warning people to keep beggars away in the month of Ramadan.
The statement is issued in the name of the Circle Inspector of Kollam East Police, complete with seal and signature.
The statement reads: “Many beggars are flowing from north Indian states into Kerala in the month of Ramadan. They are hard core criminals. Not a single penny should be given to them. If they come to houses in which the women are alone, they should be sent back without even opening the door.” The police have registered a case and alerted the public that it’s fake.
“In the last one week, around one lakh people from other states have arrived at Kozhikode, Kannur, Ernakulam, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram railway stations. When enquired about the huge flow of the people from other states, it has been found that they have come for begging and for stealing by attacking people who are weak due to fasting,” the fake statement further reads.
The statement ends with the warning: “Keep away from beggars. Keep your home and premises safe.” The date on the statement, however, shows August 18, 2018.
State Police Chief Loknath Behera has directed the Kollam City Commissioner to register a case and investigate the issue. Kollam City Police Commissioner A Sreenivas told TNM that a case has been registered at the East Police Station.
“A case has been registered under sections preventing forgery and misappropriation under the Information Technology Act. We are also investigating the case. We have issued a release through the media to inform the public that the statement is false. The police didn’t issue such an order. People shouldn’t manhandle anyone based on the contents of the statement and should act judiciously.”
The holy month of Ramadan begins on May 15.
A release has also been issued from the police headquarters saying that the news being shared is fake. The clarification message by the police is also being widely circulated on WhatsApp by the public now.