Kochi: The Kerala police have arrested one youth for harassing Hanan, a college student who sold fish to raise money for her studies and to take care of her family, on social media platforms.
Noorudeen Sheikh, a video-blogger hailing from Wayanad, was arrested on Saturday, a day after Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the police to initiate action against those who launched the abusive propaganda on social media platforms against Hanan.
Sheikh recently posted a live video on Facebook, apologizing for his earlier viral live video calling Hanan a fraudster. However, it seems to have not helped him.
Earlier, the Palarivattom police had registered a case against Sheikh. It was Sheikh who triggered the smear campaign against Hanan after TV reports about her sad plight landed her a role in Arun Gopy's upcoming film 'Irupathonnam Nootand' featuring Pranav Mohanlal in the lead role.
Also read: Pinarayi, VS laud brave Hanan, call for action against cyberbullies
The chief minister had also asked the Ernakulam district collector to provide adequate protection to Hanan, who sold fish in a local market at Thammanam in the city after college hours.
Coming down heavily on the cyber bullying, the chief minister said everyone should keep in mind that many propaganda on social media platforms were 'double-edged swords'.
"People should be more cautious while using social media. It is improper to circulate anything which they get through cyber platforms. This will only help push the society towards further danger," he said in a Facebook post.
Sharing a picture of Hanan selling fish in her college uniform on his Facebook page, Pinarayi said he was proud of the student and the government was with her. He also wanted the entire state to support the woman.
Also read: College backs Hanan's claims, calls it a true story
A final year B.Sc (Chemistry) student at a private college in Thodupuzha, Hanan's touching story was widely shared on social media by several people, including film artistes and politicians.
But, a section of social media users expressed doubts about her story and termed it 'fake', after which she was viciously trolled.
'Cyber goondaism'
Kerala Women's Commission chairperson M C Josephine termed the social media abuse 'cyber goondaism'.
Marxist veteran V S Achutanandan also supported the woman, hailing from Thrissur, and demanded action against those behind the cyber attack.
Union minister Alphons Kannanthanam had also come out in support of the student yesterday and wrote on social media, "Kerala sharks stop attacking #Hanan. I'm ashamed. Here is a girl trying to put together a shattered life. You vultures!"
Hanan thankful to the govt
Meanwhile, Hanan on Friday said she was thankful for the government's support.
She said she would like to continue with the fish business to look after her family and studies.
With the abusive comments pouring in on social media, a teary-eyed Hanan had on Thursday appealed to her critics with folded hands to leave her alone.
"I do not want any help. Kindly leave me alone and allow me to do any kind of menial jobs to earn my daily bread," she said.
Police scan devices, register stringent sections
Palarivattom police had initially filed a case against Nooruddeen. The case was later transferred to assistant police commissioner's office, Ernakulam.
The case was registered under IT Act 2000 and IPC section 509 for outraging the modesty of a woman.
The IT Act is aimed to check cyber crimes and false propaganda, with provision for imprisonment up to three years.
“The accused has presented himself before police this morning. We are interrogating him and the scanning of his IT devices. His mobile phone and laptop has been seized. We will file his arrest by afternoon if needed,” Ernakulam ACP Laljy said.
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