Fake news: Four persons in Dimapur police net

Our Reporter
Dimapur, May 16 (EMN): Peddling fake news, despite repeated appeals and warnings from the authorities to desist from the same, has landed four persons in Dimapur police custody.

On the evening of May 15, social media platforms were abuzz with rumours that more than 20 people quarantined at the Agri Expo site in Dimapur had fled the premises.

The commissioner of police in Dimapur confirmed to Eastern Mirror on the same night that the information was false, adding that police personnel stationed at the Agri Expo site would have alerted him if it were true.

Further on May 16, the DCP (Crime) informed this newspaper that the culprits were caught and legal action will be taken against them.

“A woman got verbal (false) information from her brother about the stranded persons running away; that led to her posting it on social media,” said the DCP adding that three to four persons were involved in the rumour chain.

The DCP maintained that the persons who spread the false news did not verify from authorities, ‘which is the biggest mistake and creates only chaos and fear’.

“The message and post was so convincing and detailed, like mentioning of a mobile announcement that they were suspected of coronavirus being made; anybody can believe that fake information,” said the DCP.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in April had urged all state governments to take effective measures in curbing the spread of fake news and prevent panic during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The ministry has also stated that an FIR is to be lodged against those spreading rumours.

In Nagaland, the police have issued advisories in regard to tackling fake news. It stated that if any punishable offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Disaster Management Act, Information Technology Act, Code of Criminal Procedure and Epidemic Diseases Act are committed, strict action will be taken.

It further appealed to all concerned not to post, share, forward and disseminate any messages and visuals that could lead to communal hatred, disrupt public order, decency and morality.