Don’t spread rumours in social media; there is nothing like ‘Flood Jihad’: SP Cachar

July 6: A new angle to the recent devastating flood in Silchar has come to surface. A section of news channels, web portals and social media groups like WhatsApp, Facebook etc. has tried to give new connotations to the recent flood. The incident of Bethukandi dyke breach which led to the flood in Silchar has even been termed as “Flood Jihad.”

Commenting on this issue, Superintendent of Police, Cachar, Ramandeep Kaur said that this is very unfortunate that such type of unfounded news is spread in social media by a section of the populace. Even some local and national media along with a few web portals too are providing a communal angle to this dyke breach incident. “I need to make it clear that the Irrigation Department lodged an FIR about this. On the basis of our investigation, we arrested 4 persons and are trying to find out the reasons behind this,” said the Police Super.

SP Cachar further said, “Don’t spread rumours without any basis or evidence. This particular incident has no communal angle. It is purely a matter where some persons who were suffering broke the dyke at Bethukandi. We are investigating into the matter as to why these people destroyed the government property. They will be dealt as per the existing law of the land. There are various words which are now coming up like ‘Flood Jihad’. This is a word which we have never heard. So please do not get into these things. Silchar is a peaceful place where people belonging to various religious communities are staying together for long. There is no deliberate attempt on the part of any community to cause harm to the other. It is an act of God. The rainfall of this year was unprecedented. Further, rainfall in Meghalaya also added to the existing water over here and caused the flood.”

SP Ramandeep Kaur also issued a caution for those who were giving communal colour to the Bethukandi dyke breach incident. She said, “Our cyber cell is a keeping a keen watch on the social media handles who are spreading such false information. We will take proper action against all those who are involved in spreading communal hatred. Let us not carry the things where they are not intended to and let us not disturb the peace of the society. This is also my appeal to the citizens of Silchar.”