The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government has asked the states and union territories (UTs) to exercise restraint and get a confirmation from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) before approaching the media about the seizure of radioactive material. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly told states that incorrect and unsubstantiated reports about the recovery of “radioactive” materials can malign India’s image abroad.

In its recent direction to all Chief Secretaries, DGPs and Police Commissioners, the MHA said that on multiple occasions it was noted that moments after recovering some suspected radioactive material, local police issued media statements, even without any forensic confirmation or holding consultations with DAE, Indian Express reported. 

As per the report, the Ministry observed that incidents mostly turn out to be hoaxes and attempts by miscreants to pass off fake materials as radioactive substances.

“Such unsubstantiated and incorrectly reports tend to malign India’s image internationally on its safety and security protocols in handling of nuclear/radiological substances, and give scope to allegations of the existence of a potential nuclear black market within India for sensitive dual-use materials,” IE reported quoting MHA's communication.

The Ministry also asked police in all states and UTs to first send the seizure material to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)/DAE for confirmation.

“Once it is confirmed, then only give media statements… All the senior police officials should be sensitised to consult AERB/DAE and have to be more cautious while giving press releases to the media houses on seizures on radioactive materials,” an official said.

The MHA further reminded the officials about guidelines on the media policy of police, which was issued on April 1, 2010. “Police officers should confine their briefings to the essential facts and not rush to the press with ‘half-baked, speculative or unconfirmed’ information about ongoing investigation…” it said.

The development came after three people were arrested in Bihar's Gopalganj district and seized 50 gm of "radioactive substance" worth crores from their possession. In a similar incident in July, Uttarakhand police arrested five persons in Dehradun for suspected 'possession' of radioactive material.