Meerut Police arrested eight individuals on Saturday for spreading false information about drones on social media, fueling panic across Uttar Pradesh. The arrests follow the identification of 28 misleading posts—19 on Instagram, seven on Facebook, and two on X—prompting 15 FIRs, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Vipin Tada.

The crackdown comes amid heightened fears after unverified drone sightings triggered chaos, including a laborer’s death in Udham Singh Nagar and mob attacks injuring eight in Amroha last week.

The accused, operating from areas like Lisari Gate and Shastri Nagar, face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for breach of peace and endangering public safety. Tada warned that flying drones without permission and disseminating fake content are punishable offenses, with ongoing efforts to apprehend additional suspects.

Police are intensifying social media monitoring and village awareness campaigns to curb misinformation.

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