Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has described rumour-mongering as a “serious concern” to society that leads to violence and loss of life and property.
Omar’s Government has snapped internet in the embattled State four times this year in an attempt to stop rumour-mongering. But many believe that choking the flow of information through the official agencies is counter-productive.In his Independence Day message, Omar expressed concern over the trend of getting carried away by the rumours and reacting violently without ascertaining facts. “This trend in the society is of serious concern,” he said and underlined its consequences as dangerous and detrimental to the State.
He said heeding to the rumours and resorting to violence results in the loss of precious human lives and property. Against the backdrop of recent communal clashes in Kishtwar, Omar said that some elements thrive on dividing the society in the name of religion, region and caste. “They do this just to polarise the society for their self ends,” he said. Omar also referred to the sectarian clashes in parts of Budgam and the Gool incident and said that rumours and reactions without ascertaining the truth were the reason for escalation of tension.