VEHARI-Amidst panic spread through district Vehari like other parts of Punjab about child abduction, the police urged the parents to make their children street-smart as a solution to the public menace.
However, the police termed the “rumours” being spread on the social media baseless. DSP Saddr Imran Rasheed said in a press conference that official data does not support the unprecedented claims of kidnapping and missing of children going round on the social media.
He noted that reports being published on the social media regarding kidnapping of children are causing concerns among the public. The DSP said that the five-year data regarding child abduction does not support the reports being highlighted on the social media. People are getting benefits of rumours and submitting false complaints for their vested interests, he said.
“We are also very closely monitoring the situation regarding illegal organ transplantation and unable to verify the reports published on social media and the complaints reached police stations in this regard,” he said. Children are safe but in spite of safety they must be street-smart to avoid any possible mishap.
He urged parents to make their children street-smart as being street-smart, they know their way around, and know how to handle difficult situation. The police department has documented many incidents in August where those caught and given in police custody on suspicion of involvement in kidnapping were released after preliminary investigation, said the SHO of city police station. He said that rumours about child kidnapping had caused unrest and fear among the public.
He said that they were holding meetings with elected representatives to solicit their help in countering rumours about child kidnapping. He said meetings were also underway with administrations of schools and with religious leaders at mosques for the purpose.