Guwahati: Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta while addressing a press conference at his office on Monday revealed that the Assam Police since March 25 has arrested 51 people and registered 97 cases on charges of spreading fake news or rumors related to COVID-19 on social media. He further went on to add that among those arrested, 20 people were released under Section 41 (a) of CrPC.
Besides enforcing strict lockdown to fight the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the Assam Police department has also stepped up its fight against fake information and rumours on the deadly virus through strict monitoring of social media.
The police force along with its cyber cell are doing their best to make sure that no person goes unpunished after spreading rumors or fake news.
A number of antisocial elements are trying to take advantage of the sensitive period to spread fear and panic among the people by spreading fake news and rumors about the virus.
Last week itself, a fake news in the name of a non-existing ministry was spread throughout social media in Assam. The Assam Police department had to issue an alert on social media about the news.
Image Source: Internet