{"id":10133,"date":"2021-01-19T08:04:20","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T08:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiofree.org\/?p=151576"},"modified":"2021-01-19T08:04:20","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T08:04:20","slug":"unrelated-photos-videos-revived-with-false-child-kidnapping-rumours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/01\/19\/unrelated-photos-videos-revived-with-false-child-kidnapping-rumours\/","title":{"rendered":"Unrelated photos, videos revived with false child-kidnapping rumours"},"content":{"rendered":"

A set of videos and images is circulating on WhatsApp with child-lifting rumours. Over the past three years, Alt News has debunked multiple false social media rumours related to child kidnapping. (1<\/a> and 2<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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Video 1: Man sliting minor relative\u2019s throat shared with images of a beheaded child<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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The video pertains to an incident from Rajasthan reported by Dainik Bhaskar<\/a> on January 9. The incident took place Karad, a village Rajasthan\u2019s Sikar district, on January 8. Accused Kailashchand Raigar (21) murdered his 10-year-old cousin. SP Sikar Kunwar Rashtradeep told Dainik Bhaskar that Raigar murdered the child to take revenge on his uncle, the child\u2019s father. The incident was also reported by Times Now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Alt News spoke with SP Sikar Kunwar Rashtradeep who confirmed the above-mentioned details and added, \u201cThe images of the beheaded child are not related to this incident. The accused was arrested on the same day. There haven\u2019t been any recent child-kidnapping incidents.\u201d<\/p>\n

This report will be updated if and when we find details about the images of the beheaded child. But to reiterate, they are NOT related to the video of the man murdering his minor relative.<\/p>\n

Video 2: Gorakhpur police\u2019s press address shared with audio-morphing<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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A 90-second video of a police officer addressing the press has been dubbed with voice over. The narrator warns of \u2018child-kidnappers on the prowl\u2019. He asks people to be aware of gangs of 500 people involved in illegal organ trading. This warning has been ascribed to SP (city) Gorakhpur, Kaustab.<\/p>\n

The narrator can be heard saying in Hindi, \u201cDo not open doors for any garbage collectors, sadhus, hawkers and beggars. Just make noise and send them away. Do not utter the words \u201cno one is at home right now, come later\u201d even by mistake. Unleash your pet dog if you have one. Do not open the main gate. Take care of yourself and your children. Stay alert and stay safe. Today, there have been reports that 500 people, disguised as beggars, have come from Bargadwa. They take hostage, anyone, on their way and sell their hearts and kidneys. Around 6-7 people have been caught and they have admitted that 500 people are on a prowl. Forward this message to all your friends and family members. Please stay safe. Gangs of 15-20 people are prowling. They have women and children accompanying them. They also have weapons. They come at midnight when the cries of children are heard. Please do not open your doors and share to maximum groups. This message should be viral in 2-3 days. Your safety is in your hands. Beware. Issued in the public interest, Gorakhpur police. This is said by SP (city) Dr Kaustab while talking to Gorakhpur newspapers.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is no truth in the viral video.<\/strong> The voiceover does not match the news ticker that says \u2013 \u201cSP (city) Dr Kaustab terms the messages viral on social media \u2018fake.\u2019 The messages are not true. If you spot someone suspicious, inform the police and do not take the law into your own hands.\u201d (Translated from Hindi)<\/p>\n

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The viral video was uploaded by Gorakhpur News on August 25, 2019. In the first part of this video, the anchor gives a brief of Gorakhpur police\u2019s statement. He tells viewers that SP Kaustab has termed the messages viral on social media \u2018fake\u2019. In the second part of the broadcast, the anchor reads out the false message viral on social media. This portion has been clipped and circulated online.<\/strong><\/p>\n

From 1:49 minutes onward<\/a>, the SP can be heard debunking the rumours. He says that messages warning about child-kidnapping gangs are false and no such cases have been reported from Gorakhpur. He adds that messages ascribed to Gorakhpur police are being circulated on social media but the police has not issued any warnings. This video was debunked by Alt News in 2019<\/a> in a more detailed report.<\/p>\n