The Ludhiana police have registered a case against 15 unidentified individuals following the October 9 assault on three residents of Khanna at the Kesar Ganj market. The victims, who had visited the market to purchase dry fruits, were wrongly accused of being fake GST officials and beaten up by shopkeepers and miscreants.
Incident Triggered by False Rumors
Complainant Harcharan Singh, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, Khanna, recounted that he, along with his friends Ashish Verma and Gurjant Singh, was shopping for dry fruits when a group of youths spread false rumors labeling them as fake GST officers. This led to a chaotic commotion, with shopkeepers and passersby joining the attack without verifying the claims.
Harcharan Singh described the harrowing experience, stating, "My turban fell off during the fight. Shopkeepers also misinformed media outlets and live-streamed the incident on social media, tarnishing our public image."
Police Investigation Underway
According to ASI Baljinder Singh, the police are actively investigating the case to identify the assailants responsible for spreading the false information and inciting the assault.
Rising Concerns Over Misinformation and Vigilantism
The incident highlights the dangers of misinformation and mob behavior, which can lead to unwarranted violence. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution and verify facts before acting on rumors.
As the investigation progresses, the victims and their families await justice, emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent such incidents in the future.
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