In the era of social media, misinformation can create a dangerous situation, even threatening the safety and security of the citizens. Recently, an audio clip went viral on social media, in which one person claimed that he saw two local youths being assaulted by migrant fishmongers in Naharlagun. The audio clip immediately went viral and it generated hatred for Bengali Muslim traders living in the Itanagar Capital Region. The Naharlagun police launched an investigation into the claims made in audio clip, and their investigation revealed that no incident matching the description in the audio clip was found.
Due to the timely intervention of the Naharlagun police, this misinformation was busted. The rumour-mongering could have taken a serious turn if the police had not acted quickly. The issue could have taken a communal colour and also put the lives of Arunachalis living in other states at risk. People should stop sharing misinformation in social media. Without verifying the facts, they share wrong information which can lead to breakdown of law and order. The police should take strict action against such individuals. The citizens also need to do self-introspection and refrain from sharing wrong information on social media. Before sharing or forwarding any sensitive information, try to verify it.