Srinagar, Aug 3 (PTI) A senior police officer dismissed on Saturday the rumours that Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel were being asked to deposit their weapons, and asserted that strict action would be taken against people behind it.
"The tweet...in which it has been mentioned that J&K policemen are being asked to deposit their weapons and CRPF and Army were taking control of police stations, is a criminal rumour," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Muneer Khan said.
"Strict action will be taken against these criminal elements who have spread these malicious rumours with intent to vitiate the atmosphere. We are trying to find out who has initiated this malicious rumour," Khan said in a statement.
Several rumours regarding repeal of constitutional provisions giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir, delimitation of constituencies and trifurcation of the state have been doing rounds in Kashmir in the wake of a slew of official orders that have caused panic among local residents.
One such order issued on Friday asked Amaranth Yatra pilgrims and tourists to curtail their stay and leave Kashmir immediately. Special arrangements were made by the authorities to facilitate the evacuation of pilgrims and tourists out of the valley.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor S P Malik has said there is no need to panic. Malik urged political delegations led by National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti to tell their supporters to maintain calm and not to believe "exaggerated rumours" being circulated in the Valley.
