Rumour-mongers keep Mumbai cops on their toes

It’s not terrorism or some serious crime that is keeping the police on their toes, but a rumour mill that is rife in various parts of the city at about the same time. While the police are daily introduced to a new rumour, they are trying their level best to dissuade people from believing them.

It all started with the slum colonies of the eastern suburbs, including Chembur, Govandi, Tilak Nagar, Nehru Nagar and Chunabhati areas, which were abuzz with a gang of tribals swooping down on the areas to abduct children. Soon, the rumours moved westward, with the MIDC area reporting cases where residents keeping night vigils to keep out a suspected gang, members of which can reduce their height at will to target women.

“The rumour was being spread, particularly in Marol village and Malpa Dongri areas, by unidentified persons for no reason,” said inspector Deepak Bagve of MIDC police.

However, no one, including the alleged rumour monger, has been arrested so far, said Bagve, while another officer added that the police had planted informers among the public to nab the rumour mongers.

“While women in the area have stopped coming out of their house at night, everyday somebody approaches us with a new story, like the latest being about gang members with blackened faces wearing special shoes that enables them to reduce their height,” said senior inspector Suresh Hujband of the MIDC police. As many as seven cases have been registered with the Marol police in as many days.

Earlier, since last Wednesday, the eastern suburbs had been tormented by rumours of an oil-man, who would oil his entire body so that no one can catch hold while fleeing.

Stating that some anti-social elements may be behind the rumours, DCP Sanjay Shintre said, “We are tracking the mobile phones of callers who informed us or the control room of the alleged gang.” Apart from intensifying patrolling, local police are holding frequent meetings with locals. Also, they have asked people to come forward to give them names of the rumour mongers, so that stern action can be against them, added Shintre.

Recently, the Mumbai commissioner had shown his unhappiness with the way the Bhandup police dealt with te chhaddi-baniyan gang rumour.