The Hindu : National : Misinformation on polio campaign

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Sunday, Nov 05, 2006
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Misinformation on polio campaign

GODHRA: Leaflets asking people not to administer polio drops to their children as the ingestion "can lead to infertility or affect masculinity" are in circulation in certain Muslim localities here.

Leaflets in Urdu

"These leaflets in Urdu have been distributed in some localities here for the past few days," said R.J. Patel, development officer, Panchmahal district.

"We are doing our best to curb the misinformation campaign.""

He said: "I have also called a meeting of all religious leaders including Maulvis and some non-governmental organisations." Muslim leaders in the town had given the assurance that they would cooperate in the polio eradication programme, scheduled for November 12.

"We have also asked police to take strict action against those who are distributing these leaflets," Mr. Patel said.

"Our volunteers have appealed to the people not to believe such pamphlets and to participate in the government-sponsored polio eradication drive," said Firoz Kothi, president of the Muslim Ghanchi Samaj in Godhra.

Not printed in Godhra

He said the leaflets were not printed in Godhra and they appeared to have come from Delhi or Lucknow. — PTI

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