On a mundane Wednesday evening, a twelve-year-old child's phone call to Thiruvananthapuram police headquarters created waves of concern across the state. According to Piaget, children learn as they play, and moreover, children learn how to learn through play. But a child's prank phone call to the police headquarters on Wednesday has raised security concerns across the state of Kerala. The child had reportedly abused and given death threats to the Chief Minister of the state. Politicians and those in power receiving death threats is not a new instance, and police and security personnel always consider this sort of threat with seriousness as it concerns the life and security of a person.
Following initial inquests, it has been revealed by the parents of a seventh grader that the phone call was by mistake. However, the police are dealing with the issue of the threat with seriousness and have subsequently increased the security details of the politicians and leaders in the state.
The police, when asked whether the threat was from a school kid, stated that that was the finding from their preliminary investigation and that further inquiry would be carried out to find whether anyone else was behind the threat and other aspects of the threat.
It was also brought to light that police had filed cases under Sections 118(O) and 120(b) against the phone number from which the threat was received. The act of intentionally disseminating rumors or giving false information to the police, fire department, or any other important service is covered by Section 118(b). This part becomes pertinent considering the threat against the Chief Minister since it emphasizes the seriousness of spreading rumors or misleading information that could cause vital services to focus their concern and resources on circumstances that aren't actually emergencies.
A nuisance to any person is defined by Section 120(O) as any communication, including unsolicited, persistent, or anonymous calls, letters, texts, emails, or messenger services. This section acknowledges the importance of combating harassment or threats communicated through various media.
Also, the police declared that the child would receive counseling regarding this matter.
(Input from various media sources.)
(Rehash/Bharkhavy KV)
