Rumour sparks off four-hour search for two children allegedly stuck under an avalanche of garbage at dumpyard. Ulhasnagar Municipal Commissioner warns of action against rumour mongers
Thane: Rumour sets off 4-hour search for 2 kids buried under garbage
Locals gathered at the Ulhasnagar dumping ground on Sunday while others searched the ground for two children allegedly stuck under the garbage. PIC/Navneet Barhate
A rumour sparked off a four-hour search for two children allegedly stuck under an avalanche of garbage at the Ulhasnagar dumping ground on Sunday.
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When eventually not a trace of the children was found, authorities concluded that it was just a rumour.
Ulhasnagar Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Nimbalkar is angry about the rumours and has warned of action if this is repeated. “Strict action will be taken against such rumour mongers henceforth,” he said.
On Sunday afternoon, news was doing the rounds across Ulhasnagar that two small children who had been playing at the dumping ground were buried under a mountain of garbage that fell on them while it was being dumped.
A crowd soon gathered at the dumping ground that is situated near Maralgaon in Ulhasnagar 2. Around 400 metric tonnes of garbage is dumped here every day.
As soon as the news reached the authorities’ ears, they launched a rescue operation for the children. “The search operation that started at 1.30pm, went on till 5.30pm but we did not find any children there,” said Nimbalkar. He said the dumping ground has been in existence for two decades, but locals have been opposing it and hence spreading baseless rumours. “These rumours create unnecessary panic among residents,” Nimbalkar said.
Locals searched the dumpyard for the two children allegedly stuck under the garbage. PIC/Navneet Barhate
“Not a single person had seen any children being stuck. People saw the garbage falling, but if any children were caught inside it, their parents would have approached the authorities. People should verify facts before spreading rumours,” said Yuvraj Badane, Public Relations Officer, UMC.
Sources from the municipal corporation said every single day people pelt the dumpers with stones and try to stop them from entering the dumping ground.