The state government quickly denied any such move, while cyber sleuths launched a probe to track down the source of such unfounded messages
This picture has been used for representation purpose
The Maharashtra police's cyber wing has tracked down people who were responsible for spreading rumours on social media that the Indian Army would be deployed in coronavirus hotspots in Mumbai and Pune, officials said on Friday. Amid the lockdown, panic prevailed a few days ago after cyber miscreants widely circulated messages on social media platforms that the Army would be deployed in COVID-19- hit areas of Mumbai and Pune, the cities worst-hit by the infection in Maharashtra. The state government quickly denied any such move, while cyber sleuths launched a probe to track down the source of such unfounded messages.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Mumbai police, through their official Twitter handle, said such messages were fake and appealed to people not to believe them and avoid forwarding them to other users so as to break the chain of transmission. During the investigation, the cyber wing was able to track down people responsible for creating and spreading such fake messages, an official said.
Stringent legal action will be taken against them, he said. "People who circulate such fake and unverified news on social media platforms seek to cause panic among citizens and create chao. They will face stringent legal action from authorities," the official asserted. Clamping down on online rumours, fake news, misinformation and hate speeches, the Maharashtra Cyber has registered 439 offences and arrested 238 persons ever since the coronavirus-fuelled lockdown came into force in March-end,
he said.
At least 183 offences were registered for forwarding objectionable WhatsApp posts and another 173 for sharing such messages on Facebook, the official added.
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
