Munnar: After a fake message was circulated, a huge crowd flocked to the post office here to open account. The message had said that Rs 15 lakh promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election campaign will be disbursed through postal accounts and urged everyone to open new accounts.

Even though employees at the post office tried to convey that the message was fake, people didn’t retract. When hundreds of people gathered at the post office, the officials sought the help of police to control the crowd. Police officers also tried to tell people of the fake information, but in vain.

The post office savings bank account scheme by the Central government commenced in Munnar on Sunday. Rs 100, Aadhaar card and two photographs are required to open an account. Those who open the account will be given a QR code. Upto Rs 1 lakh can be deposited in these accounts which can be used for paying various bills and has net banking facility.

But, in Munnar the word of mouth that spread was that Rs 15 lakh promised by Modi will be given through these accounts. Many labourers from estates and plantations took leave and arrived at the post office en masse in vehicles.

Another fake message that spread in these regions was that free land and house will be given at the Devikulam RDO office. As the distribution of land in Kuttiyar Valley for labourers is slated to commence from August 1, the fake message spread that those who are not in the list would be given free land and funds to construct house if new application is submitted.

Many people flocked to RDO office on Monday morning to submit the application. Though the officials denied it, people didn’t return. This continued even on Tuesday. Following this DRO officials pasted a notice stating that it was false information.

Devikulam Sub-Collector Dr Renu Raj has instructed police to register case against those spreading false information.