TNM Fact Check: Old unrelated video goes viral as 'man's suicide for Amaravati'

Over the last few weeks, a video showing a man standing on an electric transformer was being widely shared, claiming that he attempted to kill himself over the Amaravati capital row in Andhra Pradesh.

There was also a small text message in the video, stating that it was a 'suicide for Amaravati' and urged the people to share it till it reaches the President of India. This video surfaced in the wake of protests in Amaravati region, over the last one month regarding Andhra Pradesh government’s proposal to decentralise the capital. Several old and unrelated visuals, too, were shared in a misleading manner.

In contrast to the claims, a simple Google search with relevant keywords would give few reports published in Tamil, suggesting that the incident is from the state of Tamil Nadu. The video is originally from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The man, who is reportedly an Army jawan, attempted suicide in the first week of January this year over a family issue. The video has been taken out of context and circulated widely as a video from Amaravati.

Along with the video, a photo of a bleeding woman was also shared, claiming that it was from Amaravati's Mandadam village. While the origin of the photo is not known, this is an old photo that has gone viral on multiple occasions in the past, with different claims.

The Guntur police have also denied allegations of manhandling women during protests in Amaravati. They have warned action against those circulating fake videos and pictures on social media.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government has decided to set up three capitals, Vizag (executive capital), Kurnool (judicial capital) and Amaravati (legislative capital), in the state. 

This has triggered protests by a section of farmers and political parties in the Amaravati region. 

Watch the video below