Yahya Hallare

Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal (EP)

Bhatkal, May 8: While ordinary people are pushed towards fear and anxiety, false news is creating a rift between communities in Bhatkal one after the other. It has become a challenging task for officials to put a break to such propaganda. Some of such news is as follows:

1. There are several infected people in Bhatkal being treated by private doctors.

2. Some of the infected people have died and their rites are performed in secret.

3. Several rolls of white cloth are bought for last rites.

News from other quarters states that:

1. Coronavirus is spread from Bhatkal Sarpankatte and other places

2. Prevention of the spread of the virus, lockdown are conspiracies by some to prevent upcoming festival celebrations.

There are stories of quarantine and their violations spreading in the town and slums. West zone IGP Devajyothi in a meeting held at a guest house on Tuesday had reportedly tried to confirm parts of false news with local leaders. MP Anant Kumar in a meeting held with officials on Wednesday is said to have referred to death and last rites held in Bhatkal. The officials have warned people especially those who are active in social media not to spread such false news in the interest of the well being of society and urged to only refer to an official statement from the officials.

Sojia Soman senior medical inspector, the municipal council said he has records of 13 people’s death in Bhatkal municipal council limits during the last one and a half months.

DSP Gautham said that the MP in the meeting held in tahsildar’s office had directed to register proper details of deaths. “The health department has already stated it. We do not know anything else.”