Manipur: Man arrested for spreading fake news on COVID-19

Manipur police on Wednesday arrested a 38-year-old man for spreading fake news on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and triggering panic among the public. The 38-year-old accused was arrested by the

Manipur police on Wednesday arrested a 38-year-old man for spreading fake news on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and triggering panic among the public.

The 38-year-old accused was arrested by the police after it came to their attention that a fake audio clip on COVID-19 was doing the rounds on social media platforms, claiming that new positive coronavirus case has been detected in Imphal and the state has been put under strict lockdown.

Within two hours after the audio content went viral on social media, the police swung into action and traced the source. The police arrested the accused from his residence, where he admitted of committing the crime.

The accused have been identified as Irengbam Amu (38) from Imphal West District of Manipur.

Meanwhile, the police have sent an alert message on the fake news which likely caused fear and distress among the public.

It may be mentioned that Manipur had reported only two positive cases of COVID-19 and both patients were discharged from hospitals after being cured on April 12 and April 21.

Since then no fresh cases have been reported from the state.

The Manipur government has scaled up vigil along the Indo-Myanmar border amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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