NEW DELHI: A wild rumour ran in Cawnpore yesterday [May 1] that human flesh was being cooked ... and was on sale in some hotels there. The rumour enraged a band of people, 1,000 of them, who yelled in strength before the police station demanding action against the imaginary offenders. The misled ... crowd ... threw brickbats at the police who lathi-charged the people... . Regarding the incident … the District Magistrate said: “A rumour has gained currency … that flesh of children is being served in some hotels in Cawnpore city. At about 2 p.m. today a report was received from Collectorganj that some children were seen confined at the roof of a house. The police reached the spot and found a considerable gathering of excited people. The … house was searched in the presence of the public. But … nothing was discovered. The rumour continued… .”

… “In the mean-time a big crowd of several thousands collected at the police stations and started shouting irresponsible slogans … . … Some … started throwing brickbats and it was considered necessary to resort to a mild lathi-charge... . ... ”

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026