A viral rumour about a child kidnapping gang allegedly operating near Kuntikana triggered widespread panic on Friday morning, prompting swift intervention by Kadri police.
The scare began after a social media message claimed that four individuals travelling in an Omni van had kidnapped two children near a private hospital in the area. Acting on the information, a local woman reportedly shared a voice note with anganwadi teachers. One teacher further forwarded the alert to a parents’ WhatsApp group, advising them to remain cautious.
As the voice notes circulated rapidly, anxiety spread among residents, with many fearing that a child trafficking gang was active in the locality.
Police probe finds no incident
Upon receiving information about the panic, Kadri police rushed to the spot and conducted inquiries until the afternoon. They questioned local residents and the anganwadi teacher who had shared the message.
Investigations revealed that the rumour originated from a misunderstanding near St Anne’s School. A few children had reportedly seen a young girl crying inside an autorickshaw and speculated about possible “child lifters”. This conversation was overheard and misinterpreted by adults, eventually escalating into a full-fledged kidnapping scare.
Commissioner urges responsible sharing
Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy confirmed that no kidnapping had taken place. “It was merely a rumour. We have verified the facts and there is no cause for alarm,” he stated.
The police have urged citizens to refrain from forwarding unverified messages or voice notes, warning that spreading false information can create unnecessary fear and may attract legal consequences.
Authorities emphasised the need for responsible social media use to prevent panic and misinformation in the community.