Kannur | December 29, 2025: Police in Kerala’s Kannur have registered a case after a controversial Instagram reel claiming to show a bomb explosion in the city went viral, prompting concerns over public safety and communal harmony. The Kannur Cyber Police said the video was misleading and provocative, with the potential to disturb public peace and inflame tensions.
Officials said the case was registered on Sunday after the Special Branch (Intelligence Wing) of the Kerala Police submitted a detailed report to the Kannur Commissioner of Police. The report flagged the rapid circulation of the reel and the nature of comments it attracted online, warning that the content could aggravate the prevailing law-and-order situation.
Reel fuels online tensions
According to the FIR, the reel was posted from an Instagram account named ‘Red Army Kannur’. The video allegedly showed visuals resembling a country-made bomb explosion, with claims that the incident occurred within Kannur city. Police, however, clarified that there has been no independent verification of any such explosion in the city so far.
As the reel gained traction, a surge of comments followed. Police said some users who identified themselves as supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) allegedly posted threatening and inflammatory remarks. Investigators noted that these comments amounted to incitement and carried the risk of provoking retaliatory violence.
Case registered under stringent BNS provision
Given the sensitivity of the situation, Kannur Cyber Police invoked Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with wanton provocation with intent to cause a riot or breach of peace. Officers said the provision was applied due to the apparent intent behind circulating provocative visuals and the ensuing online reactions.
Police emphasised that sharing such content is not merely irresponsible but can have serious social consequences, especially in a region that has witnessed politically charged incidents in the past.
Background: A sensitive law-and-order environment
The reel surfaced at a time when Kannur district was already on alert following sporadic clashes between rival political activists after the announcement of local body election results. These incidents had strained political and communal relations, making the circulation of unverified violent content particularly risky.
Kannur has historically witnessed episodes of political violence, often intensifying during election periods. Authorities said this context necessitated heightened vigilance over social media platforms, where misinformation can spread rapidly and trigger real-world consequences.
Investigation and verification underway
Cyber Police officials said they would seek cooperation from Meta Platforms, Instagram’s parent company, to identify the operators and administrators of the ‘Red Army Kannur’ account. Investigators are also examining whether the video depicts a real incident, is recycled from an older event, or has been fabricated or edited to mislead viewers.
Police reiterated that, as of now, there is no official confirmation of any bomb blast in Kannur corresponding to the visuals shown in the reel.
Public advisory
Kannur Police urged citizens to exercise restraint and responsibility while using social media. Users have been advised not to post or forward content related to violence, explosives, weapons, or fear-inducing imagery without verification.
“Even a single misleading or provocative post can threaten the peace of a city,” a senior cyber police officer said, adding that digital platforms carry responsibilities alongside freedoms.
Heightened vigilance across Kerala
The action in Kannur comes amid broader vigilance by Kerala Police against fake bomb threats and online misinformation. Earlier this month, police investigated an emailed bomb threat to the official residence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram. A thorough search found no explosive device, and the threat was later declared a hoax.
Authorities have reiterated that all such threats—whether circulated online or communicated electronically—are treated with utmost seriousness due to their potential to create panic and undermine public confidence.
The investigation into the Instagram reel is ongoing. Police said further details regarding the FIR, identification of those responsible, and subsequent legal action will be shared as the probe progresses.
