Wayanad youth arrested for hate campaign against Hanan

Kochi: The Kerala police have arrested a 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.

Noorudeen Sheikh, a video-blogger hailing from Wayanad, was arrested on today, a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the police to take action against those who launched abusive campaign on social media platforms against Hanan.

Sheikh posted a live video on Facebook apologising for his earlier viral live video calling Hanan a fraudster.

Earlier, Palarivattom police had registered a case against Sheikh. He triggered the smear campaigns against Hanan after TV reports about her light landed her a role in Arun Gopy's upcoming film 'Irupathonnam Nootand' featuring Pranav Mohanlal in the lead role.

The Chief Minister had asked 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 cyber bullying, the CM said that everyone should keep in mind that many of the 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 women.

Hanan is a final year B.Sc (Chemistry) student at a private college in Thodupuzha. Her story was widely shared on social media by many including film artists and politicians.

But a section of social media users expressed doubts about her story and termed it 'fake' after which she was viciously trolled.

Kerala Women's Commission chairperson M C Josephine termed the social media abuse 'cyber goondaism'.

CPI(M) veteran Achuthanandhan had also extended his support to Hanan also demanding action against those behind the cyber attack.

Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam also came out in support of the woman and wrote on social media yesterday, 'Kerala sharks stop attacking #Hanan. I'm ashamed. Here is a girl trying to put together a shattered life. You vultures!'

Meanwhile, Hanan on Friday thanked the government for the support. She also said that she would like to continue with the fish business to look after her family and studies.

With abusive comments puring 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 had said.