Assam: FIR against Bengali-Language Newspaper for 'Fake News' about COVID-19 Patient

Guwahati, April 6, 2020:

The District Information & Public Relations Office (DIPRO) of Karimganj has now filed an FIR against a Bengali-language newspaper run out of Assam for spreading misinformation about the coronavirus (or COVID-19). Jugasankha, the newspaper in question has proverbially been rapped on the knuckles for stating that the first person from Karimganj who had tested positive for the virus is now corona-free.

As per the press release issued by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Assam, "It's for the information of all that as per direction of District Magistrate, an FIR has been lodged against the Bengali Daily 'Jugasankha'. It's hereby clarified that the news published in the news paper is fake."

ALSO READ: Assam: 1,074 People Arrested in Lockdown Violation Cases, 4,293 Vehicles Seized

The newspaper Jugasankha's Silchar edition had published a news wherein it was mentioned that 1st COVID-19 patient of Assam, Jamaluddin of Hasanpur Srigouri who is undergoing treatment in SMC, has tested negative during subsequent testings. Now, doctors have revealed that the patient is still undergoing treatment for the virus at the Government hospital

Soon after the news was printed in the daily, the localities of Badarpur, Hasanpur, and Srigouri abounded with rumours, and reportedly caused an inconvenience in maintaining law and order, as per Assam Covid-19 Regulation, 2020.

Under that regulation, that area was declared a containment-zone and buffer-zone by the District Magistrate, Karimganj. The District Magistrate then complained that violation of rules and norms have begun since the publication of the news as the people have once again started violating the lockdown norms. This, he has attributed to the report carried in the newspaper.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Diphu Official Allegedly Assaults Laborer for asking Questions about Distribution of Essentials

Meanwhile, several violations of lockdown rules have been reported from across the State. Assam Police, which has been religiously doing its duty to ensure the lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic is followed by all the citizens of the State on Sunday released data on the number of violation incidents in the State since March 25 till April 5.

“Tough action is being taken by Assam Police against violators of lockdown guidelines. As on April 5, 2020, action taken figures of the entire state of Assam – 794 incidents of violation, 446 cases registered, 1074 people arrested and 4293 vehicles detained,” tweeted Assam Police.

It may be mentioned here that the Assam Police Police Department has sent out several messages to the public. One of the many is the “Stay Home” message that has been repeated almost every single day to remind the citizens of their simple duty to stick to their homes instead of roaming around and increasing the chances of getting infected.

“Break the Chain, Stay Home, Save Mankind” is one such message sent out by Assam Police to keep people indoors amid the rising cases of the pandemic.

It needs mention here that a stronger police force has been deployed everywhere to monitor limited movement. Directions have been given to punish the violators of lockdown.

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