SRINAGAR, Oct 6: Police in Budgam district have registered a case against the administrator of a Facebook page for allegedly circulating false and misleading information regarding the death of a horse, an act that authorities say caused unnecessary fear and panic among the local population. The case, registered under Section 353-2 (circulating false statements) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertains to a post shared by the page ‘Kashmir Speaks’ that falsely claimed a horse had been slaughtered for its meat.
According to a police spokesperson, the controversy stems from an incident on August 26 in Rakhai village of Khansahib tehsil, where a horse was found dead. A video of the dead animal quickly went viral on social media, with ‘Kashmir Speaks’ alleging that the horse had been deliberately slaughtered and its meat intended for sale in local markets. The claim gained traction amid heightened public concern over recent revelations of rotten meat being sold in eateries across the Valley, amplifying alarm among residents.
However, a police investigation into the original incident found no evidence supporting the claims of slaughter for commercial purposes. Instead, investigators determined that the horse’s death resulted from a dispute between two parties and was unrelated to any attempt to sell meat. Despite these findings, the Facebook page published a post on October 5 repeating the false allegation, this time linking the incident to Arizal village. “The misinformation created unnecessary fear and panic in the community,” the spokesperson said.
Taking serious note of the deliberate spread of misinformation, Budgam Police registered an FIR at Khansahib Police Station against the page administrator and launched a formal investigation. Authorities said the circulation of such unverified claims on social media can disrupt public order and erode trust, particularly in sensitive situations.
Police also urged social media users and content creators to act responsibly and verify facts before sharing information online. “Spreading falsehoods on social media platforms can have real-world consequences. We appeal to the public to refrain from forwarding unverified content and to rely on official sources for accurate information,” the spokesperson added.