The Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a man on charges of spreading a rumour about the death of a girl after a braid chopping incident in Habbakadal area of the city, a police spokesman said.
The miscreant, identified as Abid Hussain Saudagar, was traced and arrested from Arampora locality in Nawakadal area, he said.
“The police has arrested a rumour-monger who had spread the rumour about the death of a girl,” the spokesman said.
He said the rumour had spread like a “wild fire” last evening.
“Most of the people panicked and a sense of insecurity prevailed all over. People got emotional and started pelting stones at the security forces establishments and vehicles,” the spokesman said.
“It was planned to generate a potential for civil unrest,” he said.
The spokesman said the police investigated the rumour and found it “baseless”.