CHONGQING - Four people have been detained in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality for spreading doomsday rumors, police said Saturday.

Two men who allegedly used a loudspeaker to proclaim the end of the world on the city's streets on Sunday received 10 days of administrative detention, while another two who supposedly handed out related pamphlets on Wednesday received the same penalty, the municipal public security bureau said.

Rumors stating that the world will end on Dec 21, 2012 are popular in China, despite having debunked multiple times. The rumor is related to myths stating that a calendar used by the ancient Maya accurately predicts the end of the world.

Police said local residents should abide by the law and refrain from spreading doomsday rumors. Punishments will be given to those who disseminate rumors in order to cause trouble, defraud others or disturb social order, the statement said.