Mangaluru: A formal complaint has been filed at the Mangaluru South Police Station against three individuals and a news website for allegedly spreading false and provocative information linking the name of journalist B.M. Basheer and the Kannada daily Vartha Bharati to a fabricated story titled ‘Operation Sindoor’.
The complaint was lodged by B.M. Basheer, News Editor of Vartha Bharati, who has demanded legal action against those involved in sharing what he termed as misleading and inflammatory content on social media platforms and websites.
According to the complaint, a Facebook post by a user named Nitin Shamanur titled ‘Operation Sindoor: Kannada journalist's cousin's wife is finished’ included false claims along with a photograph of a woman and soldiers. The same post was reportedly shared by Santosh Hegde on his Facebook account and also posted from another Facebook profile under the name Bettampady Chandra.
Basheer further alleged that the same content was published on a website named newsputtur.com, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
“This misleading and provocative rumour under the name ‘Operation Sindoor’ is circulating fake news in the public domain. It is likely to disturb communal harmony and create unrest in society. The coastal region is already witnessing a sensitive situation due to recent developments, and such false narratives could further aggravate tensions,” Basheer stated in his complaint.
He has demanded that a case be registered and legal action be initiated against the individuals – Santosh Hegde, Nitin Shamanur, Bettampady Chandra – as well as the editor of newsputtur.com, following a thorough investigation.
The Mangaluru South Police have taken note of the complaint and initiated a preliminary inquiry into the matter.
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Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
