One person was arrested by Bishnupur police on Wednesday for allegedly spreading fake news about the containment zones of Bishnupur district on social media.
The accused person, identified as one Pherioijam Kripa Meister, 53, son of (L) Ph Krishna Meetei of Nongada Awang Leikai, Bishnupur in a Facebook post claimed that entire Bishnupur district has been declared a containment zone after a person who went to clean JNV quarantine centre was seen roaming around openly in Bishnupur after being declared positive.
The post made by Kripa using his Facebook account that goes by the name ‘Luwangcha Pheiroijam Pareihanba’ created a lot of panic, fear and confusion to the general public, a police officer said.
Immediately, Bishnupur police station team led by OC Bishnupur with the assistance of cybercrime unit Imphal West inquired into the matter and established the identity of the person. The said person has been picked up from his rented accommodation at Lairikyengbam Makha Leikai.
Necessary action has been taken in this regard.
In the meantime, deputy commissioner of Bishnupur, Neeta Arambam also clarified in a release that the news circulated on social media is absolutely an unfounded piece of rumour. All staff of the various Municipal Councils in the districts are provided fill protective gear whenever they clean and disinfect any quarantine centre, it said.
The person in question was also provided full protective gear while discharging the duty. It has been informed by chairperson, Bishnupur Municipal Council that the said person had some rashes near his eyes and was given rest at home for a few days which perhaps led to the rumour, it said.
In order to quell the unfounded rumour, district administration advised him to get tested and his testing will be done today. It is a matter of great seriousness that a person who has not even undergone testing has been declared positive in social media, thereby causing great personal misgiving to him and his family, the release stated.
Any person who spreads unfounded rumours regarding COVID-19 is liable to be punishing under section 54 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, it added.
