Assam: 45 Arrested for Social Media Violations, over 735 "Offensive" Posts taken Down, Confirms DGP

Guwahati, April 20, 2020:

Assam DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta on April 20, said that 735 "offensive" posts on social media have been deleted. Additionally, 45 people have been arrested so far for posts on social media along with 85 cases registered so far; around 200 people have been counselled.

At a presser held on the day the country 'laxes' some of its lockdown restrictions, the DGP has said that a new kind of policing has been envisaged for the latter, starting from today. Along with the continuation of the pre-existing lockdown enforcement, the police has also resolved to facilitate the "exempted" ones. However, no one should take "advantage" of this, Mahanta warned.

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Mahanta also said that the "strict enforcement of the national directives" are also being followed, such as the mandatory wearing of masks. He said that a person can be booked under various charges for not wearing masks in public. A violation of this rule can result in cases under the IPC Section 269/270.

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The DGP said that it is the responsibility of the people in charge of public places, office spaces, and transport spaces to ensure that every one ensures that social distancing is maintained in the areas.

Spitting in public has also been made a punishable offense under the lockdown, Mahanta said. Moreover, a strict ban has been imposed on the sale of liquor, gutkha, tobacco, etc.

When people are roaming on two-wheelers for emergency work, no pillion riding will be allowed, Mahanta said, adding, in four-wheelers, only one person (apart from the driver) will be allowed.

He further called upon the people to take "social distancing" as their own responsibility. If people do not and "crowd", cases can be registered against the violators, the DGP said.

In several places, vehicles were being used to smuggle people, the DGP said, adding that "checkings" will now be carried out.

The DGP also said that there will be "zero tolerance" for action against medical personnel in the line of work, even by police personnel.

The Assam DGP further said that no more than 5 people will be allowed to gather and weddings and other social functions will be monitored by the local authorities.

Moreover, only a driver and a handyman will be allowed to ply the vehicles carrying "essential" commodities.

Further cautioning people not to venture forth with their private vehicles if they do not fall under the 'essential' category, Mahanta said that the police has already seized 25,000 vehicles for violating the lockdown norms.

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People have also been asked to carry identity cards. If not, a letter from employers can also be carried. "People without identification will face problems", he said.

Pledging to continue the "humanitarian" efforts of the Assam Police, Mahanta said that 75,000 families and around 2 lakh people have been catered to and 5 lakh kg of food materials has been delivered

Via the helpline initiated by the Assam Police, 2,207 have been helped. Outside Assam, 28,452 people have been helped in several ways, the DGP informed.

On the mental health helpline, 250 calls have been received and consultations are going on, the DGP said.

This is not the end of the lockdown, the DGP said, adding that the new phase has been initiated to re-start the economic activities in the state.

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