Rumours have been spreading across North Garo Hills district after many reported sightings of a gang of ‘blackmen’ that are armed with weapons and roaming during nights.
The interesting part in the entire episode has been the fact that there have been no confirmed sightings and only rumours that have continued to create panic amongst residents of the district and nearby.
Earlier taking into account cases of people being influenced through social media, police had appealed to all to not circulate such rumours as it was creating panic without any base in truth. In most villages, the rumours have led to VDP parties doing round the clock duty to ensure their village was not the one attacked by the group of so called ‘blackmen’.
“There have been rumours circulating that four unknown persons are roaming around in Mendipathar – Soksan area, carrying sharp weapons and the same group of people have also been reported to have attacked one person with sharp weapon at Mongpangro village. Another incident going viral is that of a woman being assaulted by unknown miscreants during the night hours at Pakmagre village,” SP, Abraham T Sangma said through a social media circular.
Abraham asserted that the cases were unrelated and coincidentally took place almost at the same time and were being investigated.
“These three very different incidents have been misinterpreted on social media and spread fear and tension among the general public. The facts have been verified by police and found that the incidents are different, caused by different people and related to three different cases. Investigation into these cases is ongoing and the miscreants will be arrested soon,” he said.
Meanwhile despite the warnings by the police administration, rumours of ‘blackmen’ attacking have been common. Three days in nearby Goalpara district of Assam, three persons were caught by people apparently dressed in black with their faces painted black. Whether it was villagers who painted their faces or the persons themselves is yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile another person was assaulted in Chitukona along the border with Assam after villagers suspected him of being a part of the ‘blackmen’ gang.
The SP has asked people to verify facts before they are circulated as the situation could get extremely ugly otherwise.
Meanwhile some residents believe that the gang is nothing but a false narrative being spread through social media to create panic and fear. The fear, as per them will be helpful for groups of criminals in cases of loot or dacoity as the blame can be put on the apparent ‘blackmen’.
What has been of even greater interest is that there has no FIR filed against anyone in any of the villages where the sightings of ‘blackmen’ have been reported. Somehow it miraculously takes place in the next village.
