Three held for fanning virus fear
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 11 2021:
Police have arrested three men, who spread fake news relating to COVID-19 test on social media platforms including facebook, from their respective houses.
The arrested men have been identified as Thoudam Romesh (34) son of Ibochou of Sekmai Laipat, Thoudam Bikram (43) son of Kula of Sekmai Laipat and Sougrakpam Johnson (34) son of Gambhir of Naoremthong Khumanthem Leikai.
According to police report, a video mentioning that 500 people tested positive out of 700 who underwent testing during a mass COVID-19 testing done at Takyel Khongbal was uploaded on Facebook page of 'Kanglapao fb entertainment' .
The video went viral on social media and DM Imphal West lodged a complaint in this regard at Lamphel police station of Imphal West district.
Based on the complaint, the police station launched an investigation and nabbed Thoudam Romesh and came to know that the video was uploaded from the whatsapp group 'Progressive Youth Development Organisation (PYDO)' on further investigation.
Accordingly, police picked up Thoudam Bikram, who uploaded the video.
Later, police arrested Sougrakpam Johnson, who filmed the video.
All three were produced before the court on Sunday and the court remanded them to police custody for four days for further questioning.
Meanwhile, SP Imphal West Dr S Ibomcha has appealed to people not to believe such fake news but maintain SOPs issued by the government and get vaccinated at the earliest to prevent spread of COVID-19 .