Fake news in the time COVID-19: Nagaland Police tracks down person responsible for rumors

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Summons more than 30 persons who had forwarded the fake news to Cyber Crime Police Station.

Morung Express News

Dimapur| March 18

Some weeks ago, a fake text message about one person from Nagaland being infected with Coronavirus was being circulated in WhatsApp. Needless to say, the message was forwarded at lightning speed among individuals and groups. Consequently, a video message based on that information also started doing the rounds, creating more panic and confusion over the pandemic.

The Nagaland Police on Wednesday informed that the originator of the fake news has been traced. 
A statement from the Superintendent of Police (Crime) and PRO Manojkumar said that there have been two mediums to spread the fake news in social media – by text message and by video.

During the course of investigation, it was found that many people had forwarded the said news through many social media platforms and groups without verifying its authenticity.  According to the Police, more than 30 people who had forwarded the fake news were summoned to the Cyber Crime Police Station. Most of them were from Dimapur and Kohima, while some were from Phek and Wokha, the SP said. After recording their statements, the Police was able to trace the origin of the fake news.

The fake news had originated through text message in WhatsApp, circulated by a woman presently residing at PWD Colony, Dimapur.

She had composed the text message and sent the same to her friends which eventually went viral, the statement read. The SP told The Morung Express that the originator was summoned on March 18 after which her statement was recorded.  A minor had also created the video of Coronavirus case detection in Nagaland after seeing the fake news in WhatsApp. The report on the case has been sent to the government, he said. 

Meanwhile, another fake message about two people being tested positive for COVID-19 confirmed by a certain ‘Dr Vese’ from a non-existent ‘Apolo Hospital’ in Dimapur is also being circulated. The SP told The Morung Express that enquiry on the same is underway.

While no arrests have been made so far, the SP warned that spreading of fake news or rumors is a criminal offence.
Well-meaning individuals forwarding messages with false information is only causing more panic and alarm among the public and can invite legal action, the SP warned.

The case is an example of how false and unverified information about Coronavirus is spreading along with the pandemic.

The Nagaland Police has appealed to all the individuals, institutions and organizations to avoid using media platforms for dissemination of any information regarding Covid-19 without ascertaining the facts. The SP further advised to rely only on official press release or statements from the Department of Health & Family Welfare and the Government of Nagaland.