Panic in Kashmir over SMS about mobile phones

Srinagar, Mar 29 (UNI) Majority of people in Kashmir switched off their cellphones in panic today after rumours spread that a call from an unidentified number causes fatality among mobile users, prompting BSNL and Airtel to come up with denial.

Several news organisations, including UNI, received hundreds of calls since this morning to enquire about the rumours and check the veracity of such claims.

Several mediapersons cross-checked the veracity of such claims with their colleagues.

A panic-stricken caller, Shabnam, enquired if anyone has died of such calls. She sounded disturbed as her father's mobile phone was switched off since he left for office this morning.

In a press release, a spokesman of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited sought to dispel all such rumours.

''There have been certain messages (SMS) circulating during the past few days claiming fatality if certain peculiar numbers on cellphone are answered. BSNL Kashmir wants to dispel all such messages as pure rumours and requests the customers not to encourage such rumours and messages,'' the spokesman said in the release.

An Airtel official also sought to downplay these rumours. ''These are just rumours. Customers are requested not to give ears to such rumours and messages,'' the official added.

It is learnt that some days ago a person in Chennai received an SMS stating that few people have died after they answered the numbers starting with ''00'' or those flashing ''red light'' on their mobile phones.

The SMS has apparently created panic in many cities of the country, including Jammu and Srinagar.

UNI