The Kerala Police have launched an investigation into a fraudulent social media campaign targeting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s appeal for disaster relief. The probe follows the circulation of misleading information from a profile named ‘Koyikodans 2.0,’ which aimed to undermine Vijayan’s call for support following recent landslides in Wayanad district.
On Thursday, the Wayanad cybercrime unit filed a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Disaster Management Act. The focus of the investigation is on the deliberate spread of false information designed to hinder relief efforts for those affected by the landslides.
The fake campaign was orchestrated to discourage the public from contributing to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF), which Vijayan had highlighted in his Facebook post. The post solicited donations to aid victims of the landslides that struck Wayanad, specifically targeting the severely impacted villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha.
The police have issued a stern warning that strict legal action will be pursued against individuals who create or disseminate posts intended to spread misinformation. This includes potential violations under the Disaster Prevention Act. In response, the cybercrime unit has ramped up its monitoring of social media platforms to identify and address such malicious activities promptly.
The landslides in Wayanad occurred on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall, causing significant damage in the affected villages. The Chief Minister’s Facebook post was part of a broader effort to mobilize resources and support for those impacted by the disaster. The dissemination of false information undermines these relief efforts and exacerbates the challenges faced by the affected communities.
The investigation continues as the authorities aim to ensure that accurate information prevails and that necessary aid reaches those in need. The Kerala Police remain committed to taking all necessary actions to prevent the spread of misinformation and support disaster relief operations.