Viral misinformation triggers fear after Dewanganj unrest

An old video of a police vehicle engulfed in flames went viral on social media, falsely presented as a recent event during ongoing protests in Nepal. This misinformation fueled confusion and fear among the public in Rautahat district.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Satya Thapa spent much of the day clarifying that the video was old footage from last year's Gen Z protests and unrelated to current demonstrations. The District Police Office in Gaur issued a statement urging people to avoid spreading unverified information, warning that such actions could undermine social harmony.

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Was the police vehicle really torched? Did protests break out there too?

Driven by the pursuit of likes and shares, many social media users circulated the video without verifying its authenticity. This rapid spread of unverified content during a period of heightened tension and uncertainty underscores the growing misuse of social media and its potential to threaten public order and security. Finance Minister of Madhesh Province Yubraj Bhattarai also condemned the sharing of old videos as current events, emphasizing the need to share only fact-based information.

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During the Gen Z movement, sharing old videos of a police vehicle being burned as if they are current events and attempting to disturb social harmony is unacceptable. Only information based on facts should be shared.