Across India, social media rumous have caused rural villagers to patrol in anxious groups on the look-out for anyone they don't recognize. In May and June alone, at least six people died in WhatsApp -related mob attacks in Assam, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

IPS officer Rema Rajeshwari's outreach programmes has made people in 400 villages in Telangana be cautious about rumous of child kidnappers and communal violence. She also spoke to hundreds of village leaders. They deployed drummers to sing about fake news. Local musicians are singing about the evils of fake news in makeshift stages.