New Delhi: The Bengaluru Police have denied the presence of ‘Zombie drugs’ in the city. The claims were made on social media by some users, along with a video of a man standing motionless on the road for a long time. The police department said that the individual has been tracked, following the viral video and a medical examination done at a hospital.
No drugs found in victim’s body: Police
The Bengaluru Police have issued a press brief regarding the viral claims on social media, about the zombie drugs. They tried to dispel the rumours surrounding the video showing the man in a trance-like state on the city road. The brief said, “A video circulating on Instagram showing a person allegedly under the influence of a ‘zombie drug’ has come to the notice of the Bangalore City Police.”
The city police said that officers from Bagalur Police Station tracked the individual and found him near the Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Yelahanka. The man was taken to hospital where a thorough medical examination was conducted.
The police said that no narcotic or psychotropic substance was found in the man’s body, upon medical examination. They said that the individual was suffering from arthritis and had taken some medicines to control the pain in his joints. Following the medicines, he consumed alcohol, which resulted in this disoriented state, said the police.
The man had been living in the city for the past 3 months and had come here in search of a job, said the officials.
The Bengaluru Police have urged the people to not spread misinformation and unverified information on social media platforms. They also advised the public to not believe in any rumours. They said that spreading unverified information might result in harm to reputation of individuals and also cause panic among the public.
The Bengaluru police also warned of strong action against anyone spreading rumours regarding the presence of any kind of drugs in the city. They said that they have zero-tolerance for drug abuse. In a social media post they appealed to the people to not spread rumours. They said, “Think before you post. Misinformation spreads faster than truth—and the damage lasts longer. Be responsible. Verify before you amplify.”
What was the viral video regarding ‘Zombie drugs’?
A post on ‘X’ which had gone viral claimed that a ‘Zombie drug’, Xylazine-laced substance had entered Bengaluru. The drug reportedly turns users into motionless, trance-like zombies.
The post on ‘X’ read, “Disturbing! The deadly ‘Zombie Drug’ (Xylazine-laced substance) that turns users into motionless, trance-like zombies has now entered Bengaluru. Alarming reports emerging from Bagalur near Nitte College. Parents, youth & police stay extremely alert! This is a serious warning for our city. Bengaluru is becoming Udta Bengaluru. Wake up before it’s too late!”
Recently another video from Chandigarh had gone viral, where a man was seen standing in a similar condition. This video was from Chandigarh. However, it is not yet known what exactly caused the man, a delivery executive from an e-market place to stand that way.