Amidst the severe crisis that Kerala is struggling to come in terms with, several misinformation campaigns have tried to target the state's people and the administration.
This campaign included a video that was used to spread the false claim that Kerala government was mistreating the army.
The video of a man dressed in army uniform alleging that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had deliberately obstructed the Indian Army from carrying out rescue operation in Chengannur—one of the worst affected areas- had gone viral.
In the two-minute thirty second video, shared on Saturday on a Facebook page called the Bharatiya Mahila Morcha Thalaserry Mandalam, the yet to be identified man, rants, "I am addressing the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Why do you have so much animosity towards the Indian army? Is it because your minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan doesn't want the army to come to your state? Thousands are stranded in Chengannur. Just let us come and do our work. We will not take over your state. Don't be scared. Aren't you bothered about your people? We do this kind of rescue operation everywhere around the country. This isn't anything new for us. So am begging you to just let us come to Chengannur and do our work. Let us in.”
The video has gone viral with over 27,000 shares at the time of writing this.
However, the ADG PI- Indian Army has called out the bluff and clarified that the man seen in the video was an imposter.
The Indian Army through its official account on Twitter said, “Imposter wearing Army combat uniform in video spreading disinformation about rescue & relief efforts. Every effort by all and Indian Army aimed to overcome this terrifying human tragedy.” Further they also appealed against the spreading the video and shared a WhatsApp number +917290028579 to report any disinformation about the Indian Army.
Imposter wearing Army combat uniform in video spreading disinformation about rescue & relief efforts. Every effort by all & #IndianArmy aimed to overcome this terrifying human tragedy.Forward disinformation about #IndianArmy on WhatsApp +917290028579. We are at it #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/ncUR7tCkZW
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 19, 2018
Following an official clarification from the Indian Army regarding the fake video, several netizens slammed the imposter in the comments section.
Several others also expressed angst against the deliberate attempt to create confusion and hatred during a time of crisis.
This moron wearing an Army ‘uniform’ in Kerala is a fake. He’s been putting out videos saying don’t donate since only rich are affected in Kerala. His video/audio is now viral. Army has formally clarified. Is a mischief-maker. Cc: @ivivek_nambiar @CarDroidusMax @dhanyarajendran pic.twitter.com/2HZJJAPLG0
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 19, 2018
Kerala Floods: Impostor wearing Army uniform spreads fake news about rescue efforts https://t.co/m8XxACYzKk pic.twitter.com/MQqVbucYeV
— Navkirat singh mand (@NavkiratMand) August 19, 2018
The police is yet to file a case and nab the imposter.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that the attempts to rescue the stranded in Chengannur were ongoing at a war-footing basis. The CM had said that four helicopters, five military boats, 65 fishing boats and four 100-member army team were deployed to carryout the task.
Update on Chengannur; Attempts to rescue the stranded are on a war-footing basis. 4 helicopters, 5 military boats & 65 fishing boats are part of operations. Four 100-member strong army teams have been deployed. Food is being supplied using helicopters.#KeralaFloods
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 18, 2018