Haflong meet
A view of the emergency meeting at Haflong: photo credit - Northeast Now

Following recent untoward incidences that have been taking place in some parts of Dima Hasao district due to fear psychosis among the people, the Dima Hasao district administration under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Amitabh Rajkhowa in presence of the Superintendent of Police Prasanta Saikia called for an emergency meeting at Haflong Circuit House on Thursday.

The meeting was well responded by all the representatives of different communities, women organisations, students’ bodies and others. They jointly appealed to the public, especially the people of Dima Hasao to act responsibly and not to be swayed away by all rumours instigating hatred mostly in the social media such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

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Although there have been several attempts by the district administration to prevent people from believing such fake news which do not have any base or authenticity, news of such incidents have been reported.

In situations as such have been seen inflame to worse consequences effecting both the people victimised as well as the public who have been part of the mob.

The incident at Mahur in Dima Hasao was a result of such rumour where three ‘sadhus’ travelling through the town were suspected as child lifters and hundreds of people gathered.

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Also read: Assam: Three ‘sadhus’ face locals’ wrath at Mahur in Dima Hasao

“The situation was immediately brought under control when the police and Army personnel came to their rescue. Their belongings that included cloths, mouth spray and other medicines were suspiciously rummaged and the situation further aggravated after the pictures were shared on social media,” stated a DIPR, Haflong press communique.

The district administration of Dima Hasao has appealed to the people of Dima Hasao not to take law into their hands and report it to the authorities immediately if anything suspicious is noticed. The police have also appealed to the people to widely circulate the helpline/ WhatsApp numbers – +91 9435422555/ +91 8638389873 – seeking help or report.

 

Pankaj Kumar Deb is Northeast Now Correspondent in Haflong. He can be reached at: [email protected]