DIMAPUR, March 18 - Nagaland Police have traced the origin of a fake news regarding detection of a coronavirus case in the State.
More than 30 people who forwarded the fake news on WhatsApp, were summoned to the Cyber Crime Police Station in Kohima and their statements recorded, Kohima SP (Crime) and PRO Manoj Kumar said in a release issued today.
The fake news originated from the WhatsApp account of Lumchano Kithan, daughter of Yisao Kithan, of Old Changsu village in Wokha district, who is currently residing at PWD Colony in Dimapur, the release said.
Kithan had allegedly composed the text message and forwarded it to her friends. Subsequently, the message went viral.
During the course of investigation, it was found that many people forwarded the fake news through social media platforms without verifying its authenticity.
The release said many unscrupulous elements are posting and forwarding fake news and rumours, causing panic and alarm among the people. Police warned that spreading fake news and rumours is a criminal offence.
They appealed to individuals, institutions and organisations to avoid using the print, electronic or social media for dissemination of any information regarding COVID-19 without ascertaining the facts, and to rely on official press releases or statements from the State Health and Family Welfare Department.
