Fake Eid holiday notice put up on social media

MP, 11 Jun 2018, Kolkata: In a bid to malign the Mamata Banerjee government and show her "weakness" towards the Muslim community, a fake notification stating that "Governor is pleased to declare state government holiday from June 12 to 15" in connection with Eid, has been circulated through social networking sites. 

Police have initiated a high-level enquiry to find out who has uploaded the "fake notification" with the intention of spreading canards. 

When contacted, a senior officer of the state government said: "It's fake. The top brass of the Finance department has already taken up the issue and there was a detailed discussion in this regard on Saturday night itself. Necessary action has been taken. A case has also been lodged." The officer further stated that the government is taking it very seriously as the photograph of the piece of paper containing the notification looks almost similar to an original document of the state government and moreover, it also carries the image of the logo of Bengal at the top of the notification.

In a tweet, Kolkata Police has uploaded the photograph of the fake notification and stated that "a fake notification is doing the rounds in social media about Eid Holidays. It is false. Those who have masterminded this will be strictly dealt with as per law." 

It has been stated in the order that "In order to celebrate Eid festival, which falls on June 12 to 15, 2018, in a befitting manner, the Governor is pleased to declare state government holiday on June 12 to 15, 2018, in addition to 16 June, 2018, which has already been notified as a public holiday."

It has also been stated in the fake notification carrying signature of an additional secretary level officer of the state Finance department, that all state government offices along with educational institutions and other state government undertaking companies shall remain closed.

Stating the information to be completely false, a senior officer of Kolkata Police's cyber cell said: "They have initiated necessary steps to identify the origin of the rumour that spread among lakhs of people through the social networking site, within a very short span of time." 

This comes at the time when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly urged people not to fall into the trap of any rumour, as there had been constant attempts of creating disturbances in the state. 

The police are also maintaining vigil and also creating awareness among netizens to ensure that people inform the police as soon as they come across any rumour. The police are also taking strict measures against rumour mongers, said the police officer.