INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Hyderabad:
Rumours spread on social media cost another life in Telangana on Monday as a 52-year-old man
dressed as a transgender was beaten to death after he was accused of being a child-lifter
Two others with him -- Swamy and Narasimha, were severely injured
They were rescued by the police and shifted to Osmania General hospital in Hyderabad.This is the fourth such incident where fake news and
videos have led to mob attacks in the state - earlier three such cases were reported from Nizamabad, Yadadri and from the outskirts of
Hyderabad.The transgenders, who had come to seek alms for Ramdaan, were targeted by the locals in Hyderabad's south zone area of
Chandrayangutta following viral WhatsApp forwards about a gang of kidnappers operating in the state.Someone hit Chandraiah with a tyre and
another threw a boulder at his head
The police managed to rescue the other two
But the mob targeted the police and a local corporator, who stepped forward to help, and they sustained minor injuries.Chandraiah died in
hospital, the police said
"Based on video footage of the incident, 35 people were taken into custody," local police officer Y Prakash Reddy said
A case of murder has been filed against them.A few days ago, another person was beaten to death in Bibinagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad
following rumours on social media
In fact at least a dozen attacks have been reported from Vizag, Guntur and other districts of Andhra PRadesh and Telangana.The police of
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have launched a special campaign against circulation of fake news and videos on social media
Four people belonging to a local cable channel, including its admin, were reportedly arrested, according to Hyderabad south zone DCP V
Satyanarayana.Telangana police chief Mahender Reddy and city police commissioner Anjani Kumar have appealed to the people not to believe
rumours on social media, and desist from forwarding rumours
Violators, they have warned, will be prosecuted."For the last two weeks, provocative messages, photos and videos, from local sources and
also old video from Syria, Sri Lanka etc is being circulated, to incite people
We forbid people from forwarding such messages and encouraging rumour-mongering,'' Mr Anjani Kumar said.
