Palghar, Jul 16: The police in Maharashtra's Palghar district have appealed to citizens to show restraint and not believe in rumours after a message claiming that some people had tried to kidnap children went viral on social media.

Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh told reporters on Tuesday night that the message talks about a few masked people moving in a black Scorpio within the jurisdiction of Kasa police station on July 14.

One of the masked individuals even tried to speak to a few schoolchildren, according to the message. “The Palghar police are probing into the matter. After confirming the incident, immediate action will be taken,” assured Deshmukh. The official also urged citizens to exercise caution and cooperate with the authorities. Palghar Shocker: Shiv Sena (UBT) Workers Assault Auto-Rickshaw Driver for ‘Anti-Marathi’ Remarks Near Mumbai, Video Goes Viral.

Palghar Police Ask People to Show Restraint Amid Viral Message Claiming Bid to Kidnap Children

Underscoring the need to verify information and maintain peace, he said, “Do not believe in rumours. No one should take the law into their own hands. Please have faith in the police and cooperate with them in verifying the alleged incident.” In April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, two sadhus (monks) and their driver, going to Surat from Mumbai in a car, were lynched by a mob in Palghar district on suspicion that they were child-lifters.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)