A piece of “information” – later clarified by the Kolkata Police to be fake – has been circulating on social media about a project by the city police authorities to help women in distress. The text states: “Kolkata Police launched ‘free ride scheme’ where any woman, who is alone & not able to find a vehicle to get home at night between 10pm-6am, can call the police helpline numbers (xxxx and 78xxxxxxxx) & request for a vehicle. They will work 24×7. The ‘control room vehicle’ or nearby PCR/SHO/OC vehicle will come and drop her safely to her destination…” The message asks the reader to share it to spread the information.
Kolkata Police authorities have clarified on their Facebook page on Saturday morning that this is an “incorrect message”. According to the message, “Please be informed that no such specific scheme has been launched by Kolkata Police. However, Kolkata Police stands by its pledge of providing immediate assistance to anyone in distress-anywhere-anytime. Dial 100.”
While the police authorities have shared the number that is being forwarded in the fake message, The Bengal Story has erased the number showing on the Kolkata Police’s Facebook page screenshot.
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