By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The Greater Chennai Police on Monday arrested a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and two Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries for allegedly spreading rumours on social media about Saturday’s stampede at a political rally of actor and TVK leader Vijay.
The police said cases were registered against 25 social media accountholders who posted rumours about the stampede and spread misinformation about the State government and police. Among those booked, Sagayam, 38, BJP State secretary of art and culture from Perumbakkam, and Sivaneshwaran, 36, of Mangadu, and Sharath Kumar, 32, of Avadi, both TVK functionaries, were arrested on Monday evening, the police said, and added that arrest proceedings would be be taken against the remaining persons.
While the government was already taking appropriate action based on the investigation, spreading misinformation and rumour mongering by some people on social media may disturb public peace, the police said. Therefore, the GCP has cautioned people against posting such content, and said strict legal action would be taken against violators.
