MAN HELD FOR CIRCULATING FAKE MESSAGES

LAKHIMPUR KHERI: A man was arrested by the Gola Kotwali police on Sunday on charges of circulating fake messages on the social media regarding the activities of the mysterious ‘ghost barber’ chopping the hair of women.

In-charge of Gola Kotwali Dipak Shukla said he received a message on a popular mobile messaging application that a gang involved in chopping of women’s braids was active in the area.

He said as the message could create panic, he made a call on the sender’s mobile number and inquired about the matter. As the man, identified as Zahir Khan, could not give a satisfactory explanation, the police lodged a case under Section 67 of the IT Act.

“Zahir, who is the husband of the head of Gardaha village in Mohammadi block, was arrested and sent to jail. The police are keeping a close watch on fake messages being circulated on the social media,” Shukla said.

Meanwhile, panic prevailed in Kheri despite repeated appeals by human behaviour experts, psychologists and authorities.

Around half-a-dozen cases of braid-chopping were reported from various parts of the district.

Behaviour expert Dr Annapurna Gupta of psychology department of BAKP Degree College said such incidents were the outcome of mass hysteria.

Retired professor Dr SC Mishra said propaganda and wide media coverage influenced logical arguments of the people.