Hyderabad, August 22: Hyderabad Police on Thursday termed as misleading the information circulating on social media about a “free ride” service for women travelling alone at night.
“This is not true. Always check facts with trusted sources before sharing. Spreading false information can cause unnecessary panic and confusion,” said a post from the official account of the Hyderabad City Police on the social media platform “X”.
The clarification came after news circulated on social media that the city police had launched a free ride scheme. It claimed that if a woman is alone and cannot find a vehicle to reach home between 10 pm and 6 am, she can call the police helpline numbers (1091 and 78370185555) and request a vehicle.
It was further claimed that the service will be available 24/7.
“The control vehicle or the nearest PCR vehicle/SHO vehicle will take them safely to their destination. This will be done free of cost. Spread this message to everyone you know. Send the number to your wife, daughters, sisters, mothers, girlfriends and all the women you know. Ask them to keep it safe. All men, please share it with all the women you know,” said the message, which was circulated on various social media platforms.
As the news was widely circulated, the city police responded online and called it misleading. The police appealed to the public not to believe such news and to check the facts with trustworthy sources before passing it on.
People were urged not to spread false information as it could cause unnecessary panic and confusion.
The messages come at a time when there is nationwide debate and concern about women’s safety following the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at a Kolkata hospital.
(The content of this article comes from a news agency and has not been edited by the ap7am team.)
