(2018-07-01) Two More Die In India Whatsapp Lynchings

Two more die in India WhatsApp lynchings

*Indian police have arrested 16 people after two men became the latest victims of hysteria over WhatsApp rumours of child kidnappers.

The men had stopped to ask directions in north-eastern Assam state when they were beaten to death by a large mob.*

Rumours of child kidnappings are spreading across India over WhatsApp, and have already led to the deaths of seven other people in the past month.

Though it was initially spread via the messaging app, the panic was further fuelled when some regional media (MSM) channels picked up the rumours, lending them credibility.

So far, officials are yet to find any incidents of child abduction related to the spate of messages and videos being shared online.