1000 people rushed to offices in Munnar over 'rumours' of government freebies

Munnar (Kerala) | Over a 1000 people rushed to the postal office in a small town of Munnar in Kerala over fake news, to open their postal savings account.

In a bizarre case of the effects social media and WhatsApp messengers can have on people, one such rumour spread like a fire: The Narendra Modi government has promised from ₹3-15 lakhs deposit for those who have postal accounts.

Estate workers came by in huge numbers to get these accounts opened. Some even went ass far ahead as to take a leave from work so they could carry out this out. A huge number of people even turned up in their personal cars.

The officials, who were unaware of any such development taking place, were astounded. They came out of their offices and had to officially inform that they have not been notified of any such scheme.

“We did not give any information that they will get benefits by opening postal accounts. Last week, there were directions from the postal department to open Rs 1 crore new accounts and we arranged the facility also. As per the scheme, a deposit of Rs 100, Aadhar Card and two passport size photographs were required to start the savings bank account,” said V. Paramasivom, Superintendent of Post Office.

Another rumour had swept through that land and house would be given to the workers free of cost and they reached the Revenue Divisional Office (RDO) at Devikulam with applications.

A long queue was seen in front of the office for “free land and home” in the morning.

The fake news was that those who were not included in the list of land distribution at Kuttiyarvalley in August, have got another rare chance of submitting their applications in Devikulam office.

The officers who were shocked to see the flock gathered outside the office, had to finally put up a notice in front of the office. They announced that there was no such move.

The notice made hardly any difference. The incoming horde continued, until the police had to finally intervene and disperse the crowd.