FIR Against Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb For Spreading Fake News About COVID-19 Outbreak

Tripura Chief Minister, Biplab Deb, who used to make news headlines for his absurd claims, faux pas and getting history wrong, has found himself in a familiar position yet again.

This time for getting the Coronavirus figures wrong, and that too not even his state. While speaking to local media Deb, had claimed that Tripura had closed the state's borders with Assam and Manipur after 16 and 19 cases each of the viral infection were reported from the two states.

BCCL/FILE

¡°In our neighbouring Karimganj, as many as 16 COVID-19 positive cases were recorded. Nineteen cases were recorded in Manipur. That¡¯s why we have sealed the Tripura border,¡± Deb had claimed.

However, according to official data, only one COVID-19 case has been reported in Karimganj and Manipur has recorded just two cases of the viral infection.

Now, Tripura Congress leader Gopal Roy has filed an FIR against him under IPC-182, 505 (1)(b) accusing the state Chief Minister of spreading fake news on COVID-19 outbreak in Northeast India, which he said has created massive panic in the region.

AFP

'Kindly accept this letter under IPC Sections 182, 505 (1) (b) for spreading fake information, news by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on 2nd April at GB Hospital (in Agartala) where he said to Press that 19 coronavirus cases were found in Manipur and 16 in Karimganj (Assam,). As of 2nd April 2020, as per Central and state government data, (there were) only one case in Karimganj and two cases in Manipur', Roy¡¯s FIR reads.

Fake news about the spread of Coronavirus has been one of the major challenges that India has been facing ever since the outbreak began. This includes claims such as consuming turmeric, rasam, etc can cure Coronavirus.

There have also been several unsubstantiated claims such as the virus cannot survive in temperatures above 30 degrees and reverberation from clapping hands and utensils can kill the virus.

AFP

Last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued an advisory to social media companies over the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 on their platforms. It had stated that unverified messages related to the pandemic must not be circulated. It also lists the legal provisions under which action can be taken against such violations, and provides a link to a form to report unverified postings and forwards.

It urged social media platforms to initiate awareness campaigns on the platforms for users to not upload or circulate false news concerning coronavirus, which is likely to create panic and disturb social tranquility.