Fear of 'Turning into Stone' Keeps UP Awake All Night

Faisal Fareed
Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Jan 3: If you sleep, you will turn into stone - this apprehension kept the denizens in Uttar Pradesh awake the whole night on Tuesday. Panic gripped with rumours of earthquake tremors along with fear of turning into stone, and the public spilled on roads.

Administration looked helpless as repeated appeals failed to pacify the denizens. No one knew from where the rumour originated but it gave sleepless night to officials and fear to the people.

The series began at around 2 am on Tuesday with messages and calls from relatives and friends amongst each other - 'It has happened in one place that two persons have turned into stones. Earthquake is also expected any time, please don't sleep else you will also turn into stone statue.'

It soon engulfed the whole state from Kanpur to Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Lucknow, the story remained the same everywhere. With fear palpable on their face, people came out on the road with their children. Soon there was enough mob on roads to create panic. No one knew the origin of rumour but everyone was afraid. Youths took rounds of localities urging everyone to remain awake.

Police tried to intervene at some places but they were outnumbered by people and there were no takers of their appeals. Some people also resorted to religious prayers in mosques fearing that the doom's day had arrived. Others claimed that whole world is going to be over in 2012.

Luckily, nothing happened and the whole night passed by standing on road fearing any casualty. In the morning people were seen discussing the incidents at their offices and other places.

In the afternoon police officials issued an appeal stating that they are trying to locate the origin of this rumour. They also appealed not to pay heed to such rumours which create panic and are far from the reality.