New Delhi, August 18
The bulk of the rumours that triggered panic among the people of the northeastern states in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra were sourced from Pakistan, Union Home Secretary R K Singh said today.

"A total of 76 websites were identified where morphed images were uploaded and bulk of these were uploaded in Pakistan," Singh told PTI.

"Morphed images and photographs of people who had died in cyclones and earthquakes were circulated as victims of violence in Myanmar in 76 websites. All these websites have been blocked. As many as 34 more sites were identified and they will also be blocked soon," he said.

"We believe it is highly reprehensible. I think it needs to be made known to everybody that this is something that is being done from Pakistan. The bulk of it has been done from Pakistan," he said.

"We will raise this issue with Pakistan. I am certain they will refute it but our technical team of experts is certain about the origin," Home Secretary said. As a step towards rumours being spread, the government had on Friday imposed a 15-day ban on bulk SMSes. Karnataka and Assam police are looking for some people who were responsible for circulating SMSes, he said, adding that no linkages have been found between those arrested and any known terrorist group. — PTI