Mumbai cops on the lookout for rumour mongers who spread 'riot' messages

A hunt has been on to trace the perpetrators, who allegedly circulated false messages during and after a clash between two groups last week at Lalbaug in central Mumbai to ignite further unrest, police said on Monday.

Tension prevailed at Lalbaug on the night of January 4 after a group of people allegedly hit people from another community, causing them injuries. A large police force had to be deployed to bring the situation under control.

"During the central Mumbai's Lalbaug area incident when two groups clashed, a photo of the body was getting circulated on social media and WhatsApp. The body was of a 14-year-old boy who lost his life after a truck accident at Mazgaon.

"The victim's body was taken to J J Hospital. The photo of his body projecting him as the victim of the clashes between the two groups was being circulated," Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria said.

"Our efforts are on to track down the persons, who first began sending his photo to others as the victim of Lalbaug clash. Bulk text messages with false information were also sent to create further tension," he added.

The Bhoiwada police has already registered an FIR against unidentified people under relevant sections of the IPC and IT Act for sending false and fabricated messages and photos in a bid to disturb the peace.

Recently, a video clip was also circulated on WhatsApp showing a group of people brandishing sticks and targeting bikes with registration number plates written in Marathi language at Crawford Market in south Mumbai. However, a probe into it revealed that it had happened in Karnataka some days ago and has nothing to do with Marathi bike number plates.

"We have developed a strategy to reach the rumour mongers," he added.

Maria said mohalla committees that have been credited with diffusing communal tension over the years will be revived by mid-February.

Mohalla committees spread across Mumbai consist of people from different communities from local areas along with policemen, whose mission is to spread communal harmony.

Maria also said a special drive will be carried out to crack down on motorists violating traffic rules during large processions. It was suspected that the trouble at Lalbaug began after bikers with two pillion riders were stopped for alleged violation of rules by a group of people.