Fact Check: No Chain Snatching Involved in Kote Betta Incident in Kodagu

Screengrab taken from the viral video.

Madikeri: Kodagu district police have clarified that the viral video circulating on social media, which claimed that two local youths snatched chains from tourists at Kote Betta, Somwarpet taluk, is misleading. The police stated that the altercation was not about chain snatching but rather a scuffle stemming from a road rage incident.

The video, which quickly gained traction online, depicted a verbal and physical altercation between several individuals. The caption accompanying the video alleged that local youths had assaulted tourists from Puttur and snatched their chains. However, the police have debunked these claims, confirming that the incident was not a case of robbery.

According to the official statement by police, the altercation occurred because the tourists' vehicle allegedly did not give way to two local youths on a bike, leading to a confrontation. The police emphasized that the news of chain snatching was fake and urged the public not to spread misinformation.

This incident highlights the importance of verifying facts before sharing information on social media to prevent the spread of false narratives and unwarranted panic among the public.