Doimukh, March 11, 2026:
A First Information Report (FIR) has been sought by the Forest Department after a viral video claiming a tiger sighting near J.N.V. School in Gumto created panic among residents and officials.
According to an official letter issued by the Office of the Range Forest Officer (RFO), Doimukh Forest Range under the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the incident occurred on the night of March 10. Two labourers working within the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) School compound allegedly circulated a video on social media claiming that a tiger had been spotted in the area.
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, triggering widespread concern. Forest officials reported receiving numerous calls from officers, staff members, media personnel, and members of the public throughout the night seeking confirmation about the alleged sighting.
Range Forest Officer Taje Dupit stated that the viral claim caused considerable disturbance and confusion, with several people urging him to immediately travel to Gumto late at night to verify the situation. However, he was unable to proceed at midnight due to prior commitments and health issues.
The following morning, the RFO and his staff visited the reported site near J.N.V. School in Gumto and conducted a thorough inspection of the surrounding area. After checking the entire location where the animal was allegedly seen, the team found no pugmarks or evidence indicating the presence of any tiger or large wild cat.
Following the verification, the Forest Department concluded that the viral claim was false and had unnecessarily created fear among the public.
In the letter addressed to the Officer-in-Charge of Doimukh Police Station in Papum Pare district, the RFO requested police to register an FIR and take legal action against the individuals responsible for spreading the alleged fake news.
Two persons have been named in the complaint: Narayan Das and Bimal Das, both reportedly working within the compound of J.N.V. School, Gumto. The department has urged authorities to book them under appropriate legal provisions for spreading misinformation that caused public panic.
Officials emphasized that spreading unverified information, particularly regarding wildlife sightings, can create unnecessary alarm and disrupt public order. Authorities have urged the public to verify facts before sharing such content on social media.
