Assam: 61 Cases Registered & 36 Arrested for Circulating ‘Fake News’ amid Corona Crisis

Guwahati, April 12, 2020:

Assam Police registered a total of 61 cases for spreading fake news on social media related to Covid-19 information.

36 people have been arrested as on Sunday for the same. Out of these 36 persons, nine have been released on bail.

The most striking news that Assam Police today shared is that 'The Assam Tribune' (one of the most trusted daily of the State) newspaper's mobile application, which is available on Google Playstore is fake and unauthorized. "FAKE NEWS ALERT! Beware - the Mobile App of ‘The Assam Tribune’ newspaper, available on Google Playstore is Fake & Unauthorised. Do not download, use or make any payment. ‘The Assam Tribune’ does not have any App," tweeted Assam Police.

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It needs mention here that Priyanka Das, a user of the app, said, "Since the past few days, whenever the daily epaper is updated, the notification pops up along with an extra information asking for donating any amount."

It needs mention here that on April 8, 31 persons were arrested in Assam for circulating ‘fake news’ reports on social media in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

While 9 were released on bail, 9 of the detainees were acquitted. This is a sharp spike from the 23 arrests related to ‘fake news’ which were reported till April 7.

Among those held, the arrest of Dhing MLA Aminul Islam had created ripples across Assam. State Police arrested Aminul Islam (under case No. 877/2020, U/S 120(B)/153(A)/124(A)/295(A)) early morning on Tuesday after interrogating him the previous night.

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It may be mentioned here that the AIUDF leader had made some controversial statements on the current coronavirus situation in Assam. Nagaon Police had received an audio clip, wherein Islam had attempted to give the whole situation a communal color after attendees of the Nizamuddin Markaz’s Tablighi Jamaat were tested positive of COVID-19.

Aminul Islam had already come under sharp criticism for his “irresponsible” comment stating that coronvirus centres are dangerous than the detention centres. His comment had  outraged different sections of the society as the Assam Government had been trying to contain the spread of the virus in full swing.

The AIUDF leader had reportedly commented that the coronavirus quarantine centres are dangerous and worse than the detention centres. He had accused the Assam Government of conspiring against the Muslims in the “coronavirus” web.

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Additionally, the Assam Police has arrested 1,454 persons for violating lockdown rules, and 11,200 vehicles have been detained. 738 cases have been registered against the violators. Meanwhile, Rs 39,75,700 has been charged from the violators as a “fine” for violating the norms. There have been three law and order incident in Darrang, Dibrugarh and Nagaon. Fifteen containment orders have been issued so far in Assam.

According to the latest official figures, as many as 8,447 people across India have been infected by the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 so far, and 273 of the patients have died. However, in a positive development 764 of the patients have been cured/discharged from hospitals.

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