The Tripura police have stated that “fake pictures” of damaged and burnt mosque are being circulated in the social media by “some vested interest”.

“…in Panisagar, North Tripura, no masjid was burnt and the pictures being shared of burning or damaged masjid or collection of sticks etc are all fake and are not from Tripura,” the police said. 

The Tripura Police further said that ‘fake’ social media accounts are being created and used to spread communally sensitive rumours after the violence on Tuesday. 

“Certain persons by using fake social media IDs are spreading fake news/rumours on Tripura,” the state police said. 

Also read: Wherever BJP leads, law & order fails: Tripura Congress chief on attacks on minorities in state

On the other hand, the Tripura police claimed that the law-and-order situation in the state is “absolutely normal”. 

“It is informed that law & order situation in the State is absolutely normal,” Tripura police claimed. 

It added: “We request people of all communities not to support and subscribe to such fake IDs and do not spread such fake pictures. We have already registered cases and legal action will be taken against all those spreading fake news and communally sensitive rumours.” 

The police said that “some vested interests are trying to disturb the peaceful communal situation of Tripura”. 

Also read: Tripura violence: ‘Lawful action will be initiated’, police warn rumour mongers

“Anti-national and mischievous elements on Twitter and Facebook are spreading fake news and rumours. The videos and photos that are being spread have no connection with the Panisagar incident. No fire incident took place at any mosque,” Tripura Inspector General of Police – Saurabh Tripathi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

“Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists took out a rally to protest against the recent violence in Bangladesh. A group of people threw stones and damaged a door of a mosque in Chamtilla area during the rally. Security forces rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control,” North Tripura superintendent of police – Bhanupada Chakraborty was quoted saying by news agency PTI. 

Zaheer Akram Bora is a senior copy editor with Northeast Now with over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism. He can be reached at [email protected]