Drones flying in the sky have now become a symbol of new types of fear. The whisper that started in western Uttar Pradesh a few months ago is now causing death in the villages of eastern UP. From Rae Bareli to Kanpur and Etawah to Ballia, the stories of ‘Drone Chor’ have now become ‘folklore’. From tea shops to night chaupals, people are now looking at every light of the sky with suspicion.
The rumor of a drone thief in Rae Bareli killed an innocent person. Hariom, 38, from Fatehpur, was beaten to death by villagers on Saturday as a member of the drone thief gang. Hariom was mentally unwell and was going to his in -laws’ house in Dandeppur Jamunapur. The crowd stopped him on the way. Someone said that this drone is a thief. After this, the rain of belts and sticks started on it.
Confirming the arrest of five accused, SP Yashveer Singh said that Sanjay Kumar, SHO of Unchahar, has been removed on charges of negligence. The police knew that rumors were going on in the area, but there was no prevention in time. Prior to this incident, Rae Bareli police arrested Mohammad Junaid of Lucknow and Mohammad Owaish of Sitapur for blowing drones without permission.
Both furniture traders were making videos by blowing drones to have fun. But his hobby became the reason for spreading fear in the villages like fire. SHO Ajay Kumar Rai said that in an atmosphere already under stress, a minor flight also looks like danger. The situation in Kanpur is more frightening. Last week, a deranged person was beaten up badly in Khersan village of Bidhanu.
Deadly attack on man as a member of a drone gang
According to SP Prabal Pratap Singh, ‘Not a single theft incident has been registered in Kanpur. People should not fall into the bluff of rumors. The situation worsened in Ghaghukheda of Maharajpur. There, a person hiding in the field was almost killed by the mob as a member of the drone gang. The police saved it in time. Similarly, the hawkers were also attacked in Madhugarh and Rampura.
Police appealed to people not to pay attention to rumors
He was deemed to have a Reiki through a drone. A seller of Sirsa Kalar said, ‘Now we are afraid to sell utensils.’ Kanpur police has now started a community contact campaign to handle the situation. DCP Deepender Nath Chaudhary, ADCP Rajesh Kumar and ACP Krishnakant Yadav have held meetings in many villages. There the police have appealed to the people not to pay attention to the rumors.
People are seen screaming at night- stay awake, stay awake
DCP Deepender Nath Chaudhary said, ‘This is an epidemic of misinformation. If someone is found to be spreading lies or attacking innocent, strict action will be taken. This fear is spreading rapidly in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The stories of ‘drone thieves’ have spread to Hamirpur, Pratapgarh, Etawah, Deoria and Ballia. In the villages of Shivrajpur and Etah, people guard overnight. People are seen shouting ‘waking up’.
Action will be taken under Gangster Act or NSA on rumor
In order to curb rumors, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered all districts to maintain drone register and ban night flights in August. Along with this, he gave instructions that action will be taken against anyone who spreads fear under the Gangster Act or NSA. The Chief Minister said in Balrampur that the property of those who spread fear in the name of drone will be confiscated.
—- End —-